Classical vs. Modern Logic, Essay Example

Definition of Logics

Logics is a branch of Philosophy and Mathematics , is  defined as the study of reasoning, as well as a set of knowledge that teaches people how to think systematically, so that they can distinguish between good and bad, and be able to arrive at correct decisions (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2009).

It is critical to adhere to the rules of logic in order to constantly make right decisions, whether one is using the classical or the modern form of logic, because as Beal (2010) reports, logical consequences are the chief concern of logics, and a distinguishing feature of the theory behind the principle isthe fact that all cases are taken to be complete and consistent in any given situation (Beal, J.C. 2010).

Logics are divided into two forms namely Classical and Modern.

Classic Logics

Classical Logicsdates back to 6BC, when Aristotle wrote the Organon. It consist of a formal and an informal language components, as well asa deductive system and or a model theoretic (Maat, 2006). The language component relates to the natural languages like English and Greek, and as such enable practitioners s to deductively codify, capture, or record the inferences that are correct for the specific language (Maat, 2006).

Semantics plays a critical role in Classical Logics, as students of the subject uses it to capture, codify, or record meanings or truth, or several possible conditions of truth for the languages that are in use (Maat, 2006).

According to Church (1956), traditionally, formal classical logics were concerned with the analysis of sentences.and of proof.. and with attention to the form, in  abstractions  from matter (Beal, 2010).

In Classical Logics, according to Beal (2010), every argument is  valid only if the conclusion is a logical consequence of its premises, after conjunctions, negations, and other symbols and formulas have been applied (Beal, 2010).

Classical Logics, according to Maat (2006), covers the division of knowledge into specific theoriesand concepts, types of propositions, arguments, negations, contradictions, and deductions. They are used to develop sentence forms that can be simplified using mathematical models, which later would become the key ingredient in the advancement and acceptance of Modern Logics, especially in computer science industry (Maat, 2006).

Modern Logics

Modern Logics had its origin in the Western Civilization, especially in Great Britain at the heights of its world dominance. It was developed principally for applications in linguistics, law, and in philosophy  as means for training the human mind to become rational in scope, and be able to used experience and arguments to make correct decisions (Maat, 2008).

Modern Logic has been used to develop logical, analytical, systemic and critical thinking skills, in pursuit of problem solving and in using mathematical knowledge, especially in engineering,computer, and in development  of business models across global environment (Mint, 2008).

In developing the discipline, thinkers in the modern era built the system of thinking with propositions, relations, quantifiers, continuous propositions, conditional propositions, arguments, inductive logics, and deductive logics (Maat, 2008).

Similarities between Classical Logics and Modern Logics

In terms of similarities between both logics, they have the same objective,  which is to train the human minds to become rational in scope, and be able to make inform decisions,after looking at the pros and cons regarding relevant issues, as well as the use ofexperience and critical arguments (Maat, 2008).

Classical Logics and Modern logics are both relatable to the field of Mathematics, Philosophy, Law, and Psychology, because the arguments and the propositions can be interchanged to bring greater clarity in expressions, and ease in understandings.

Additionally, Classical Logics can be expressed in natural languages like English and Greek, and this enable Modern Logics applications to develop mathematical formulas that can be used to  create models that can significantly influence the long term  strategic directions of business, educational, and other institutions.

According to Maat (2006), Classical logics complement Modern Logics, by providing the basic concepts for mathematical thinking, and in avoiding mistakes in decision makings (Maat, 2006).

Thinkers can bring conjunctions, negations, contradictions, counter- contradictions, deductions, semantics, and other aspects of the discipline to their complement the critical thinking and other problem solving skills, that has been honed previously, and bring greater levels of success to business and institutions.

The abundant use of the Venn Diagrams in society today,  according  to Maat(2006), is due to the fact that Classical Logics were represented in sentence forms , and had been simplified using Mathematical symbols available in Modern Logic’s vocabulary (Maat, 2006).

The logical theories that are prevalent in Classical Logics, are also available to Modern Logics orientated personnel, and as a result the chief aims of these theories, which were tospecify the logical behaviors of connectives  like conjunctions, disjunction, and negation according to Beal (2011), would be available for application among users of Modern Logics (Beal, 2011).

Classical Logics as well as Modern Logics because of technological development will find use in several discipline and industries , both individually and collectively  due to the ability of users on to used the  formal and informal language interchangeably with the natural languages currently available(Maat, 2006)

Differences between Classical Logics and Modern Logics

Classical Logics was written in Arabic, and  owes it peculiarity in origin in the Greek culture, to its age and modes of development. It may have developed have lost relevance due to the cultural differences, ignorance, indifferences, as well as other factors, while Modern Logics was  developed in Britain and used widely in the areas of the world that it had colonized.

Methodically Classic Logics uses theories to  make decisions especially in the applicative  inductive methods in social life, while Modern Logics relies on practical methods and improvement in decision making through the deductive  methods (Maat, 2006).

Modern Logics is more applicable for and has been widely used in the  development  of   models and technologies in the computer industry than Classical Logics due to the former being more technologically friendly and more conducive to business use.

Conclusions

Both Classical Logics and Modern Logics have their place in the continuous development of society, because they have the same objectivesand have been achieving it separately, and in combinations. Users of both forms are beneficiaries of high levels of reasoning that will positively impact on the quality, cost of operations, and reductions in the waste of economic resources that are often used in former trial and errors exercises in the past, as well as in the designs of equipment and structures.

Reference

Beal, J.C., (2010). LogicRoutledge, New York, NY pp.12. 43

Maat, S.M.B,, (2006). A Comparative Study  of Classical and Modern Logic from Malaysian Perspective  Proceedings of the 2^nd IMT GT Regional Conference on Mathematics, Statistics, and Applications June 13-15, 2006 Penang, Malaysia

Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, (2009).Classical Logicwww.plato.stanford.edu/entries/logic/classica/ , 05/31/11