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Epistemology and Logic
The subjects of Epistemology and Logic are considered by
myself to be essential for a critical and
open view of society and ourselves. So lets
start with some bare-bones defintions of
these two ideas.
To begin with...these ideas are often thought
of as merely "philosophical" and therefore,
rather esoteric. However, since I believe
that difficult ideas still need to be dealt
with if they are important ones, as I did in
my classes, I will present them here
straightforwardly and in "practical" terms.
Why I feel this way will hopefully become
clearer as I explain them.
EPISTEMOLOGY
Although there are varying definitions of
this term, I will define it on two levels...a
"formal" definition and then a "working"
definition.
The Formal
definition...in essence, a dictionary
definition...would be:
The investigation of
the...
1. origin,
2. nature,
3. methods...and
4. limits
of human knowing and knowledge
As such epistemology is that branch of
philosophy with investigates the conditions
for knowing/creating knowledge.
The Working
definition...my own working
definition...is:
The study of HOW we
KNOW what we SAY we KNOW
As such I am interested primarily in #3 of
the Formal definition...the methods (HOW) by
which we come to know anything. Actually, I
feel the other three areas are within the
methods of knowing and would necessarily be
touched upon by focusing on the methods.
Having defined epistemology this way, this
leads to a consideration of:
LOGIC
In the broadest sense of the term, there
is only one "method" by which knowing takes
place...a LOGIC SYSTEM. So without refering
to any particular logic system...nor any
particular kind of "knowing"...I will again
utilize "formal" and "working"
defintions:
The Formal definition would
be:
a SYSTEM of principles
of reasoning utilized for inferring correctly
and reliably in the process of
knowing
As such this refers to an organized way of
knowing that is applied to the raw phenomena
of life
The Workingdefinition would
be:
the
method/mechanism/tools used to... 1. conceptualize,
2. name,
3. label,
4. describe...and
5. explain
reality (physical, mental, and social)
As such a logic system is a set of tools
with which we "order" reality. These tools
are not innate within us...but rather, are
taught to us.
Effects of Logic System in Everyday Life
The following has been adapted from a Psychology textbook written by Zimbardo and Ruch...Psychology and Life, 9th Edition. Although not intended to be used in this way by these authors, I've felt since the first time I saw it that it reflected something important...and after a number of years of shuffling it from file to file, I finally realized that it represented the difference between the two major Logic Systems in use...at least in the "western" world...Formal Logic and Dialectical Logic. I took the liberty of renaming it and utilizing it in my Introductory Sociology classes as a way for students to assess themselves...after hearing and studying my presentation of Epistemology and Logic (see link above).
I assign an Analysis Paper covering this table and the results have been very gratifying...students see the relevance of it to the lecture and handout materials as well as to how this seemingly esoteric material has relevance in their everyday lives.
The table lists ten (10) abilities or activities we all engage in...all the time. Each ability is then symbolized by the characteristics which roughly correspond to the Logic System primarily utilized in our thinking and behaving. While clear-cut placement of ourselves in one system or the other isn't always possible...many students realize they're a combination/synthesis of both...self-reflection upon these choices helps to highlight which logic system is and...in which areas...and...where we might want to change how we approach and conceptualize our experiences.
So, I offer this material as a means of understanding ourselves a bit better. I make no claims for its definitive meaning...only that it points us in the direction of understanding why we think and do certain things in certain ways...that is, how the Logic System we use to name our world affects how we experience that very world. Give it a try.
--carry grudges,
--suffer from former conflicts and past traumatic events
--lose spontaneity of behavior because of commitments and obligations
--feel excessive remorse or sense of loss
Dialectical Logic (enables us to)
--profit from past mistakes
--develop and use complex concepts
--relate present to past
--distinquish novel events from previously experienced ones
2. TIME SENSE
Formal Logic (leads us to)
--fear change
--live in the past
--feel guilt
--dread an unknown future
--become anxious
--experience disappointments from unfulfilled expectations
--concentrate on past or future...ignoring the present
Dialectical Logic (enables us to)
--develop a history and sense of continuous self
--relate present behavior to the future
--distinquish between transience and permanence
3. ASSOCIATE ELEMENTS/INFER UNSEEN EVENTS
Formal Logic (leads us to)
--form negative, crippling associations
--misperceive self or others
--develop stereotypic and delusional thinking
Dialectical Logic (enables us to)
--create, imagine events not experienced
--generalize from partial data
--construct theories/hypotheses
4. PERCEPTION OF CHOICE
Formal Logic (leads us to)
--experience conflicts
--experience indecision
--suffer from inability to act when action is necessary
Dialectical Logic (enables us to)
--not be stimulus bound
--be independent (undependent)
--see ourselves as responsible agents
--hope, build for future
5. RESPONSIBILITY/SELF-EVALUATION
Formal Logic (leads us to)
--feel inadequate
--feel guilt for not living up to standards
--feel guilt for letting someone down
--feel constrained by obligations
Dialectical Logic (enables us to)
--take pride in accomplishments
--delay gratification
--undertake difficult or unpopular tasks
--be concerned about effects of our actions on others
6. COMPETENCE MOTIVATION
Formal Logic (leads us to)
--fear failure
--suffer feelings of inadequacy
--be anxious about tests of our ability
--work for self-aggrandizement
--work to be "number one"
--work to beat others down
Dialectical Logic (enables us to)
--do work well
--set high standards
--gain benefits of hard work
--advance technologically
--use resources to meet our needs
7. CONCEPT OF JUSTICE
Formal Logic (leads us to)
--sacrifice individual needs to group principles or rules
--torture, imprison, execute dissenters
--impose our own solutions on others
Dialectical Logic (enables us to)
--protect individual rights
--set up fair rules binding on all
--value equality of opportunity
--value equality of results
8. USE OF LANGUAGE/OTHER SYMBOLS
Formal Logic (leads us to)
--circulate and be prey to rumors and falsehoods
--conceal true feelings
--use "word magic"--curses, verbal derogation--to inflict harm
--mistake the symbol for the reality
Dialectical Logic (enables us to)
--communicate with others, present and absent, for information, comfort, pleasure, planning, social control
9. SUSCEPTIBILITY TO SOCIAL INFLUENCE
Formal Logic (leads us to)
--overconform
--sacrifice integrity
--reject innovation
--stifle creativity in ourselves and others
Dialectical Logic (enables us to)
--follow group standards
--learn and transmit values
--cooperate, establish community
10. LOVE
Formal Logic (leads us to)
--become jealous, vengeful
--possessively limit another person's freedom
--become depressed and suicidal from loss of love
Dialectical Logic (enables us to)
--experience tender emotions
--nurture growth and independence of others
--support, encourage, comfort others
--feel wanted and special
THE ABC OF MATERIALIST DIALECTICS
by Leon Trotsky
Introduction to The ABC of Materialist Dialectics
by Rob Sewell
DIALECTICAL MATERIALISM
by John Pickard
Dialectical Logic
Evald Ilyenkov
The Neurocognitive Roots of Logic
(Both Formal and Dialectical)
(copyright © 2002 C. J. Lofting)
Common Misconceptions About Argument
How the Language Really Works: The Fundamentals of Critical Reading and Effective Writing
Lesson Plans for Teachers using Rock and Roll songs
from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Suggestions for Critical Thinking in Sociology
Critical Thinking Across the Curriculum Project
Logic & Critical Thinking Page
Pre-Logic, Formal Logic, Dialectical Logic
Alan Watts...On Being Aware
From...The Wisdom of Insecurity
How We Confuse Symbols and Things
