Symbolic Logic

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Funny from last Sunday sermon 

The Pastor stated we should be careful making judgements based on feelings.

He explained that a Pastor friend from California called him Saturday and informed him that he had a dream that he felt might be from God.

The American Pastor felt that his friend in Canada, the Pastor preaching on Sunday, should run for 'President of Canada'.

Most recently purchased or given texts I will review on this blog, or will consider reviewing on this blog. This post will feature the first article reviewing ' An Introduction to Symbolic Logic'. The Kant text was purchased as it was an extremely important PhD source and I had used photocopies during my PhD thesis and therefore it is already reviewed within various articles. The Pirie philosophy text is under review on this blog, The 'Introduction' text should always be useful for Biblical Studies. The 'Origins' book is a useful 'old earth' scientific reference from a Christian perspective. The 'soccer' text was given to me by a friend and former co-worker and will not be reviewed (I do not think so anyway but with me you never know as I look at everything philosophically. I could review a Sesame Street book). The text on covenants is co-written by a former advisor from Trinity Western University and I will use it as reference. The Genesis material was sent to me anonymously by someone, I reason through Facebook, involved in Seventh Day Adventist theology and may be reviewed. It is likely taking a 'young earth' position from Genesis and a plain literal approach to the Biblical historical creation account, and not allowing for significant figurative literal interpretation.

LANGER, SUSANNE K (1953)(1967) An Introduction to Symbolic Logic, Dover Publications, New York.

I, by no means have an extensive mathematical or scientific academic background.

My education prior to college and University education is not a good indicator because I did not put much effort into my work with any subject, but I have secondary school trades math.

Years later as part of my United Kingdom PhD questionnaire and survey requirements, I had to work through the text 'Social Research Methods' by Alan Bryman. This book contains statistical related terms and theory that my academic adviser stated was at a Master's level. I was required to have an expert understanding of the text for my PhD Viva, although the actual statistics within my MPhil and PhD questionnaires and surveys required only proficient mathematical ability. The statistical work was verified as done correctly when checked by advisers.

I also had some experience with symbolic logic having to read and understand many philosophical texts in book and journal form for my British theses.

Plantinga's work on the problem of evil is an example that I reviewed in both my MPhil and PhD works and on this blog.

Therefore, I should learn much about symbolic logic reviewing this text and going forward.

Hopefully, assisting someone else to learn as well...

I will continue to review the Pirie philosophical text as well, but this adds more variance to blog presentations.

Preface

The author notes that mathematics has its practical uses but 'mathematics has such obvious practical uses that to learn its tricks without understanding their significance is not entirely silly; but may the same be said of symbolic logic?' (7).

'Is the manipulation of its symbols of such practical importance that students should learn to perform logical operations even without knowing or questioning their conceptual foundations?' (7).

The author reasons that even with practical uses, the key value of symbolic logic is conceptual. (7).

Here there is an academic and epistemological connection between mathematics and philosophy, as both can use symbolic logic practically and conceptually.

Langer reasons that 'method can be overemphasized, and tends to be so in our intellectual life'. (7).

She further writes that symbolic logic 'is an instrument of exact thought, both analytic and constructive'. (7).

It is useful not only within the scientific method (7) but also works against the muddles of modern philosophical thought. (7).

Again there is an academic and epistemological connection between mathematics and philosophy.

Philosophy of Religion being very closely related to theology, both philosophical theology and Biblical theology.

Introduction

The author connects algebra with logic in the mathematical context. (18-19).

'...(The book) it seeks to show the bearing of logic on natural science and philosophy of nature. (19).

It is a course on symbolic logic and philosophy of nature. (19).

The text claims to be for an upperclassmen at a Bachelor's level or someone at a Graduate level (19), so a classic academic text used within mathematics, science and philosophy.