Page 15 - Future Logic

1 – INTRODUCTION 13

What logic does is to help us to take all impressions and intuitions in stride, and
resolve any disagreements which may arise. What is sure, is that, in reality, things themselves
can never be in contradiction. It is ideas which conflict with each other or with primary
experiences. Sometimes it is the idea that there is a conflict which turns out to be wrong.

The job of logicians is, not to reword what is already known, but to uncover and
enhance the logical capabilities of everyday language. This is achieved by first singling out any
concept which seems to infiltrate all fields of human interest. Often, the colloquial expression
relating to it has many meanings; in such case, we make an agreement to use those words in
only the selected sense, which is usually their most common connotation. Once all risk of
ambiguity or equivocation is set aside, we can develop a clear and rigorous understanding of
the logical properties of the concept under consideration.
The so-called logical order of development is satisfying to trained logicians (from the
general to the particular, as it were), and has also some didactic value. But it is often the
opposite of the way an individual or a researcher normally arrives at knowledge (building up
from specific discoveries, then formulating a comprehensive theory); sometimes, replicating
the natural order is a more effective teaching method.
Sometimes these two kinds of orders coincide. In the last analysis, they are always to
some extent both involved, working in tandem; logical practice is an integral part of logical
theorizing.
As for the historical order, it follows the natural order pretty closely, though with some
redundancies. Some other consciousness must precede self-consciousness. Logic has developed
on both the deductive and inductive sides alternately, and not in a systematic fashion.

c. Goals.
The goal of logic is to make the facts and their relations transparent; it teaches us to
focus the object until its most firm manifestation is captured. Logic cannot immediately solve
all problems, but it always brings us closer to the solutions.
For the individual, this self-discipline is the source of realism and understanding.
‘Think for yourself’, do your own thinking, ‘use your head’, be creative, think things through.
The goal is not a mind a-buzz with words, a slave to words; but the inner peace and self-
respect of efficacy.
In communication with others, transparency means expressing one’s thoughts clearly,
so that, as far as possible at the time, there is no doubt or ambiguity as to just what one is
trying to say, and on the basis of what processes. ‘Say what you mean, and mean what you
say’. Information is freely and helpfully shared; points or areas of ignorance or error are easily
admitted.
This is the idea of ‘glasnost’, transparency, a mutual respect and openness policy, a
cooperative attitude, without unnecessary frictions. Too often, politicians, media, and others,
use words to hide or distort, and do not in turn pay attention to input. You may prove
something to them incontrovertibly; they remain unfazed, comme si de rien n’était.
Clarity of expression, accuracy of observation and thought, passing knowledge on
honestly, reasonableness on all sides, are essential to vibrant democracy and social peace.
Logic is a civilized way to resolve disputes.
This means self-criticism, the ability to review one’s own proposals, and anticipate
possible objections, and try to deal with them as well as one can. We often gloss over possible
problems in our own ideas, hoping no one will spot them; but this wastes one’s time, and
everybody else’s. Logic is taking the time to double check one’s projects, shifting them this way
and that way, to see how well focused they are in the largest context.
On the other hand, when receiving ideas, one’s should not look at them with an overly-
critical eye, at least until one has properly understood them. Like rigid bone, hasty and
excessive skepticism can inhibit the growth of knowledge. ‘Stop, look, listen’, hear, consider,
make the effort to assimilate it. Learn before you try to teach.
While I am not of the opinion that logic is relative and arbitrary, there is more often
than not at least some helpful truth to be found in other people’s concerns. One should not
reject offhand, though still reserve one’s judgement. One should neither fool nor be fooled. Be
humble, but keep your standards high.