Wednesday, August 03, 2016
Logic is concerned entirely with concepts, not conceptions
LANGER, SUSANNE K (1953)(1967) An Introduction to Symbolic Logic, Dover Publications, New York.
Quote
'Every discourse, no matter how fragmentary or casual, moves in a certain context of inter-related ideas. In ordinary thinking this context is indefinite and shifting.' (79).
'The psychological context of our thoughts is largely private and personal.' (79). It is noted in the cases when two people are discussing the same event...
'They have, then, different conceptions.' (80). But even with some limited significant understanding of each other's conceptions they 'may embody the same concept.' (79).
In light of this fallen, sinful, corrupted human realm from a Biblical (Genesis, Romans, Revelation as examples) perspective and a secular perspective that human beings, are ontologically (existence and being) imperfect; historically and presently, different human conceptions between various groups and persons has led to the fueling of problems of evil and suffering.
Reasonable, clear and concise communication so that persons 'may embody the same concept' is a good and profitable. Romans 12: 18, without proof texting outside of context, is relevant here: New American Standard Bible; 'If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.'
Being at peace with others is often dependent on having clear and concise dialogue to understand concepts in the same way, or at least similar way. This objective approach, I attempt, at least, in all my academic research, reading and writing.
'Logic is concerned entirely with concepts, not conceptions'. (79). Bold my add.
One of my philosophical views I live by is that although both concepts and conceptions are important, in the pursuit of reason and truth, concepts are more important.
Langer titles this, as noted previously, on this site 'the universe of discourse' which is free from 'private and accidental aspects.' (79).
'The relations which obtain among such elements are called the constituent relations of the formal context.' (79). This leads to 'elementary propositions of the discourse.' (79), which have a value of truth or falsity. (80).
'The relations which hold among elementary propositions are not, the constituent relations in the formal context, but are logical relations. (80).
By logical relations, Langer is referring the symbols within symbolic logic.
page 80
cited
Logical relation symbols
Conjunction (.) Conjunctions within the universe of discourse are what 'makes sense' between constituent relations. (80). In other words, what makes sense between the concepts and terms documented.
Disjunction (V)
'The assertion of one proposition or the other.' (75). This means one, the other or both is true, at least one of the two propositions is true. (75).
V is an accepted symbols for either way. (75).
~=false
In other words ~ equals false. This is the tilde symbol.
~ (A nt B) V ~ (B nt A) (75)
It is either false that A is north of B or that B is north of A...
The V means that either way one of the propositions is false. Or they both could be false. Equally north (in latitude, my add) (75).
⊃ is the symbol for implies (75) and implication (80).
(A nt B) ⊃ ~ (B nt A)
A is north of B, implies it is false that B is north of A.
Again, A and B could both be equally north.
I am trying to simplify this is much as possible. But I am learning as I read, and frankly academic philosophy and theology texts take some intense thinking. There is just no reasonable way around it.
Therefore, I present this in small segments and I am alternating article content with different text reviews and my own more original articles.
I understood problem of evil concepts better in my PhD thesis than my MPhil thesis and the concept of academic progression should be accepted in working through symbolic logic.
I have admitted that I would write my online articles if I had zero readers, but then again I prefer not to write that online diary.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)