Logic: the essential but forgotten domain of study
How many high schools teach logic as a part of their curriculum? How many people even know that logic exists as a domain of study? Now for the very uncomfortable question: How many people actually use logic to make decisions throughout the day, instead of reacting out of unchecked or unreasonable emotion? How many mistakes in life have been made that could have been avoided by simply taking the time to look at the facts, standing back to evaluate the situation with a critical eye from a vantage point revealing a broad and full view, enlightened by glimpses of potential future results and ramifications?
To not be armed with adequate logic in the era of AI is like taking off your thinking cap, and then walking into a battle of having to decipher the truth from a lie.
Have we just assumed that since we carry around and use highly sophisticated technology that the human race has advanced beyond logic? Wrong! The more that we permit technology to “take us” for the next ride with the next amusing distraction, the more we literally give it control of our minds, minute by minute, adding up to substantially our lives. Technology is a powerful tool. Ridiculously some are even convinced that it has a mind of it’s own, and it’s no wonder. Read “Not all AI are created equal” to see just how craftily AI is capable of presenting the lie with specific enough statistics to be able to appear convincing of truth to many people.
In the cyber age, it is crucial to have critical thinking skills
Today it is essential to question every bit of information that is being presented to you, and not just with one question, but many. Where did this information come from? Is it a reliable source? If it is a reliable source, is it possible that this reliable source someway somehow got infected with bad information? What is the historical background of this source? Is there exchange of money involved that could logically swing a bias? Are there possible logical agendas being pushed by self-interest? How does this weigh against or with other information that is related? What if it isn’t true? Who might benefit from this lie?…
Critical Thinking: Why is this vital skill not taught in school?
Critical thinking is a cognitive process characterized by the objective analysis and evaluation of information, situations, or problems. It involves the ability to actively and systematically assess, interpret, infer, and reason in a thoughtful and reflective manner. Critical thinking goes beyond simply accepting information at face value; instead, it involves questioning, analyzing, and forming reasoned judgments based on evidence and sound reasoning.
Key Components of Critical Thinking:
Analysis: Breaking down information or a situation into its constituent parts to understand its structure and components.
Interpretation: Making sense of information by assigning meaning and relevance to it, often involving the identification of patterns or connections.
Inference: Drawing logical conclusions or implications based on available information and evidence.
Evaluation: Assessing the credibility, accuracy, and reliability of information or arguments to determine their validity.
Problem Solving: Applying critical thinking skills to address and resolve complex issues or challenges.
Reflection: Examining one’s own thought processes, assumptions, and biases to ensure objectivity and openness to new ideas.
Decision Making: Making informed choices or decisions based on a thorough analysis of relevant information.
Critical thinking is essential in various aspects of life, including academic pursuits, professional settings, problem-solving, and decision-making. It is a foundational skill in education and is often emphasized in disciplines such as philosophy, psychology, and education. In professional contexts, individuals who can think critically are better equipped to navigate complex situations, make sound judgments, and adapt to changing circumstances.
It all starts with logic
Logic is the systematic study of reasoning, argumentation, and inference. It explores the principles and rules that govern valid reasoning and sound decision-making. In philosophy, mathematics, and computer science, logic provides a framework for analyzing and evaluating the structure of arguments and the relationships between statements. Key aspects of logic include:
Logic deals with propositions, which are statements or assertions that can be either true or false. Propositions are the basic building blocks of logical analysis.
Inference involves drawing logical conclusions from given premises. Logic examines the rules and methods for making valid inferences.
An argument is a set of propositions where one or more statements (the premises) are presented as support for another statement (the conclusion). Logic evaluates the validity and soundness of arguments.
Logical operators, such as “and,” “or,” and “not,” are used to combine and modify propositions. These operators help define the logical relationships between statements.
Deductive reasoning involves drawing specific conclusions from general principles or premises. Inductive reasoning involves drawing general conclusions from specific observations.
Formal logic employs precise mathematical structures and symbols to represent logical relationships. Informal logic focuses on everyday reasoning and argumentation without using formal symbols.
Symbolic logic represents logical relationships using symbols and mathematical notation. It allows for the formal representation of complex logical structures.
Logic also examines logical fallacies, which are errors in reasoning that can lead to invalid or unsound conclusions. Identifying and avoiding fallacies is crucial for constructing valid arguments.
Predicate logic extends propositional logic by introducing predicates, variables, and quantifiers. It is more expressive and allows for the representation of relationships between elements.
Modal logic deals with concepts such as necessity and possibility. It is used to analyze statements about what is necessarily true, possible, contingent, or impossible.
Logic plays a foundational role in various disciplines, including philosophy, mathematics, computer science, linguistics, and artificial intelligence. It provides a systematic and rigorous framework for evaluating the validity of reasoning, making it an essential tool for critical thinking and problem-solving.
You must seek to grasp the truth
Technology has potential that remains untapped and uncapped. We are waking in the dawn of artificial intelligence. But you must wake up before it’s too late. Do not be sedated by the amusement of one piece of entertainment after another. We can only guess at AI’s power, which is increasing through daily development and advancement. There are more developments and realizations to come, and there is no cap on what can be invented. The pool of innovation is endless as some people dream big dreams. But now add the power of AI. These new ideas suddenly are much more likely to come into existence due to AI. Are you ready? Do you understand the fundamental basics of AI, such as the knowledge base, algorithms, neural networks, inputs and outputs? Do you understand the different kinds of training, supervised, unsupervised, reinforcement, transfer and machine learning? Most importantly, do you know who, what organization or company is overseeing the training? What are their interests? Does it have something to do with you?
Do you use your technology for empowerment?
Or are you manipulated or dominated by it?
