Product Description

Logic is the backbone of Western civilization, holding its systems of philosophy, science and law. Yet despite logic's widely acknowledged importance, it remains an unbroken seal for many, due to its heavy use of jargon and mathematical symbolism. This book invites you to crack open that seal and acquaint yourself with this central discipline. It follows the historical development of logic, explains the symbols and methods involved and explores the philosophical issues surrounding the topic in an easy-to-follow and friendly manner. It will take you through the influence of logic on scientific method and the various sciences from physics to psychology, and will show you why computers and digital technology are just another case of logic in action. The difficulties and limitations of logical systems will also be exposed, and you will get a taste of contemporary developments in the field. For the philosophy and sciences student, as well as for the general reader, this book is a unique and indispensable introduction to the terms and ideas of logic, without being a textbook that draws on a deep understanding of mathematical methods.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #249826 in Books
• Published on: 2004-09-02
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 176 pages

Customer Reviews

A really helpful overview
I studied quite a lot of the material in this book at universtity. I understood many of the different contributions but could not see the development of logical ideas in the 20th century as a whole. After reading this book you will be able to see the relationship between major ideas in philosophy, logic, mathematics and linguistics. One could quibble about details but why bother? Overall the book makes hard ideas accessible and puts them into context. What more can you ask for?

What, no Boole?
It may seem petty to complain about the omission of one logician in a book that covers such a vast scope in such little space, but really the absence of a key figure like George Boole is very strange. However, the book remains a great summary and overview. It introduces many important ideas and thinkers, is fun and readable and will help you decide if you want to pursue the subject further. If you do, the reading list at the end will steer you in the right direction. If you are completely new to the subject, I would not actually recommend this as your very first book. Ironically enough, you would be better starting with an elementary text on Boolean algebra, to show you some formal logic in action. Then you would get more out of this present work, the great strength of which is that it provides a historical and conceptual framework for further study.

There is no such thing as Logic
This book actually does what it says - give a introduction to logic.

But, and this is why the book is worth 5 stars, it is an textbook example of how a slim volume can sumarise an entire subject in human history.

My belief in rationality was overturned, matured and finally reconstructed!!!

Buy this book if you a techie, and think that almost all problems in the world could be managed if the world would come to it's senses and stop oversimplifing everything!!!