Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » logic

logic

Listen See in Thesaurus See in a sentence

The definition of logic is a science that studies the principles of correct reasoning.

(noun)

An example of logic is deducing that two truths imply a third truth.
An example of logic is the process of coming to the conclusion of who stole a cookie based on who was in the room at the time.

See logic in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

the science of correct reasoning; science which describes relationships among propositions in terms of implication, contradiction, contrariety, conversion, etc.
a book dealing with this science
correct reasoning; valid induction or deduction: the lack of logic in his scheme
way of reasoning, whether correct or incorrect: to use faulty logic
the system of principles underlying any art or science
necessary connection or outcome, as through the working of cause and effect: the logic of events
the systematized interconnection of switching functions, circuits, or devices, as in electronic computers

Origin: ME logike < OFr logique < L logica < Gr logikē (technē), logical (art) < logikos, of speaking or reasoning < logos, a word, reckoning, thought < legein, to speak, choose, read < IE base *le-, to gather > L legere, to collect, OE læce, leech

See logic in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

The study of the principles of reasoning, especially of the structure of propositions as distinguished from their content and of method and validity in deductive reasoning.
a. A system of reasoning: Aristotle's logic.
b. A mode of reasoning: By that logic, we should sell the company tomorrow.
c. The formal, guiding principles of a discipline, school, or science.
Valid reasoning: Your paper lacks the logic to prove your thesis.
The relationship between elements and between an element and the whole in a set of objects, individuals, principles, or events: There's a certain logic to the motion of rush-hour traffic.
Computer Science
a. The nonarithmetic operations performed by a computer, such as sorting, comparing, and matching, that involve yes-no decisions.
b. Computer circuitry.
c. Graphic representation of computer circuitry.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old French logique

Origin: , from Latin logica

Origin: , from Greek logikē (tekhnē), (art) of reasoning, logic

Origin: , feminine of logikos, of reasoning

Origin: , from logos, reason; see leg- in Indo-European roots

See logic in Ologies

Logic

a posteriori

the process of reasoning from effect to cause, based upon observation.

apriorism

1. the method of a priori reasoning, i.e., deductive reasoning, from cause to effect or from the general to the particular.

2. an a priori principle.

Barbara

a mnemonic word to represent a syllogistic argument in the first figure, in which there are two universal affirmative premises and a universal affirmative conclusion.

Barmalip, Bramantip

a mnemonic word to represent a syllogistic argument in the fourth figure, in which there are two universal affirmative premises and a particular affirmative conclusion.

Baroco

a mnemonic word to represent a syllogistic argument in the second figure, in which there is one universal affirmative and one particular negative premise and a particular negative conclusion.

Bocardo

a mnemonic word to represent a syllogistic argument in the third figure, in which there is one particular negative and one universal affirmative premise and a particular negative conclusion.

Camestres

a mnemonic word to represent a syllogistic argument in the second figure, in which there is one universal affirmative and one universal negative premise and a universal negative conclusion.

Celarent

a mnemonic word to represent a syllogistic argument in the first figure, in which there is one universal negative and one universal affirmative premise and a universal negative conclusion.

Cesare

a mnemonic word to represent a syllogistic argument in the second figure, in which there is one universal negative and one universal affirmative premise and a universal negative conclusion.

Darapti

a mnemonic word to represent a syllogistic argument in the third figure, in which there are two universal affirmative premises and a particular affirmative conclusion.

Darii

a mnemonic word to represent a syllogistic argument in the first figure, in which there is one universal affirmative and one particular affirmative premise and a particular affirmative conclusion.

Datisi

a mnemonic word to represent a syllogistic argument in the third figure, in which there is one universal affirmative and one particular affirmative premise and a particular affirmative conclusion.

definiendum

1. an expression that has to be defined in terms of a previously defined expression.

2. anything that has to be defined. —definienda, n., pl.

Dimaris

Dimatis.

Dimatis

a mnemonic word to represent a syllogistic argument in the fourth figure, in which there is one universal affirmative and one affirmative premise and a particular affirmative conclusion. Also called Dimaris.

Disamis

a mnemonic word to represent a syllogistic argument in the third figure, in which there is one particular affirmative and one universal affirmative premise and a particular affirmative conclusion.

elenchus

a syllogistic argument that refutes a proposition by proving the direct opposite of its conclusion. —elenchic, elenctic, adj.

epicheirema

a syllogism in which the truth of one of the premises is confirmed by an annexed proposition (prosyllogism), thus resulting in the formation of a compound argument. See also prosyllogism.

equipollence, equipollency

equality between two or more propositions, as when two propositions have the same meaning but are expressed differently. See also agreement.

Felapton

a mnemonic word to represent a syllogistic argument in the third figure, in which there is one universal negative and one universal affirmative premise and a particular negative conclusion.

Ferio

a mnemonic word to represent a syllogistic argument in the first figure, in which there is one universal negative and one particular affirmative premise and a particular negative conclusion.

Feriso

a mnemonic word to represent a syllogistic argument in the third figure, in which there is one universal negative and one particular affirmative premise and a particular negative conclusion. Also Ferison.

Ferison

Feriso.

Fesapo

a mnemonic word to represent a syllogistic argument in the fourth figure, in which there is one universal negative and one universal affirmative premise and a particular negative conclusion.

Festino

a mnemonic word to represent a syllogistic argument in the second figure, in which there is one universal negative and one particular affirmative premise and a particular negative conclusion.

Fresison

a mnemonic word to represent a syllogistic argument in the fourth figure, in which there is one universal negative and one particular affirmative premise and a particular negative conclusion.

metalogic

the metaphysics or metaphysical aspects of logic. —metalogical, adj.

methodology

a division of logic devoted to the application of reasoning to science and philosophy. See also classification; order and disorder. — methodological, adj.

polylemma

a multiple dilemma or one with many equally unacceptable alternatives; a difficult predicament.

prosyllogism

a syllogism connected with another in such a way that the conclusion of the first is the premise of the one following.

schematism

the form or character of a syllogism.

sorites

an elliptical series of syllogism, in which the premises are so arranged that the predicate of the first is the subject of the next, continuing thus until the subject of the first is united with the predicate of the last. —soritical, soritic, adj.

syllogism

a form of reasoning in which two propositions or premises are stated and a logical conclusion is drawn from them. Each premise has the subject-predicate form, and each shares a common element called the middle term.

syntheticism

the principles or practice of synthesis or synthetic methods or techniques, i.e., the process of deductive reasoning, as from cause to effect, from the simple elements to the complex whole, etc.

Learn more about logic

logic synonyms

logic computer definition

logic Culture

logic science

logic in a sentence

logic quotes

Related Articles

Examples of Fallacies

Examples of Inductive Reasoning

Examples of Inference

Examples of Logic