Logic Question Bank Module 1 PDF
Logic Question Bank Module 1 PDF
Ans- Aristotle defined logic as the study of valid inference and the structure of arguments. He
established the foundation of formal logic through his works on syllogism and deductive reasoning,
aiming to develop a system that could distinguish between valid and invalid arguments.
Ans- Inductive reasoning is a method of reasoning in which general conclusions are drawn from
specific observations or instances. It's the process of making broad generalizations based on specific
cases.
For ex: Observing that "Socrates is a man" and "Socrates is mortal," then generalizing that all men
are mortal.
Ans - Positive Terms: Positive terms affirm the presence of a quality or attribute. They denote
something in a constructive or affirmative sense.
Negative Terms: Negative terms deny the presence of a quality or attribute. They denote something
in a negating or rejecting sense.
Ans - The law of contradiction states that a proposition cannot be both true and false
simultaneously. Formally, this means "A" and "not-A" cannot both be true at the same time and in
the same context.
Ans - An analogy is a comparison between two different things that highlights similarities in their
structure or function to explain or clarify an idea. For example, comparing the structure of an atom
to a solar system helps illustrate how electrons orbit the nucleus just as planets orbit the sun.
Ans - Inference is the process of deriving logical conclusions from premises or evidence; it involves
drawing a conclusion based on information given. Implication is a relationship between statements
where one statement (the antecedent) suggests the truth of another statement (the consequent).
Ans - In logic, a term is a word or phrase that represents an object, concept, or entity within a
proposition. It is the basic unit of meaning used in statements, typically serving as the subject or
predicate.
Question 8 - Define Proposition.
Ans - In logic, a proposition is a declarative statement that can either be true or false. It expresses a
specific idea or claim, and forms the basic building block of logical reasoning.
Ans - Deductive inference is a logical process where a conclusion is derived from given premises that
are assumed to be true. For example, if all birds can fly and a sparrow is a bird, then a sparrow can
fly; or, if all humans are mortal and Aristotle is a human, then Aristotle is mortal.
Ans - Inference is the process of drawing logical conclusions from premises or evidence; it involves
deriving a conclusion based on given information.
Implication is the relationship between two statements where the truth of one (the antecedent)
suggests the truth of the other (the consequent).
Ans - The Pragmatic Theory of Truth asserts that a statement or belief is true if it is useful and works
effectively in practical applications. This theory emphasizes that truth is determined by the practical
consequences and benefits of holding a belief.
Ans - The universal discourse of a term refers to the complete set of all possible objects or entities
that a term can denote within a particular logical system or context. It defines the scope within which
the term is considered when analyzing or constructing logical statements.
1. Truth and Validity: Truth refers to the property of a statement being in accordance with fact or
reality, determining its accuracy. Validity, on the other hand, is a property of logical arguments,
indicating that the conclusion logically follows from the premises, regardless of the truth of the
premises themselves.
3. Positive and Negative Terms: Positive terms affirm the presence of a quality or attribute (e.g.,
"happy," "brave"), while negative terms deny the presence of a quality (e.g., "unhappy," "cowardly").
These classifications help in analyzing logical statements by identifying what qualities are being
affirmed or denied.
4. The Pragmatic Theory of Truth: The Pragmatic Theory of Truth asserts that a statement or belief is
true if it is useful and works effectively in practical applications. This theory emphasizes that truth is
determined by the practical consequences and benefits of holding a particular belief.
5. Analogy: An analogy is a comparison between two different things to highlight their similarities
and explain or clarify an idea. For example, likening the structure of an atom to a solar system helps
illustrate how electrons orbit the nucleus similarly to how planets orbit the sun.
6. Form and Content: Form and content refer to the structure and substance of a logical expression.
The form involves the logical structure and relationships between terms, while the content
encompasses the actual meaning or subject matter being discussed, both of which are essential for
analysing logical arguments.
7. Connotation and Denotation of a Term: Connotation refers to the implied or associated meanings
and emotions a term evokes beyond its literal definition. Denotation is the explicit, direct meaning of
a term, identifying the objects or concepts it represents. For example, "rose" denotes a type of
flower but connotes beauty and romance.
8. The Coherence Theory of Truth: The Coherence Theory of Truth suggests that a statement is true
if it is consistent with other beliefs and statements in a coherent system. According to this theory,
truth is not determined by correspondence to reality but by the logical interconnections and
harmony within a set of beliefs.
Logic is often described as the science of valid thoughts because it focuses on the principles and
criteria that distinguish good reasoning from bad. It deals with the structure and form of arguments,
ensuring that conclusions follow logically from premises. In essence, logic provides a framework for
evaluating whether a thought process is sound and coherent. This involves examining the validity of
arguments, which is determined not by the actual truth of the premises but by whether the
conclusion logically follows from them. By applying logical principles, one can ensure that their
reasoning is free from contradictions and fallacies, thus facilitating clearer and more accurate
thinking. Logic serves as a foundational tool in various fields, including mathematics, philosophy,
computer science, and everyday decision-making, as it helps individuals construct and evaluate
arguments systematically.
Question 2 - Define simple enumeration. Discuss its main characteristics and its value.
Simple enumeration is a method of inductive reasoning where general conclusions are drawn from a
set of specific observations. This approach involves observing individual instances and forming a
generalization based on those observations. For example, after observing that all swans one has seen
are white, one might conclude that all swans are white.
Main Characteristics:
Value: Simple enumeration is valuable for forming hypotheses in scientific research and everyday
reasoning. It allows for the discovery of patterns and regularities in nature, which can then be tested
and refined through further observation and experimentation. However, it also has limitations, as
generalizations made through simple enumeration can be subject to exceptions and may need to be
revised in light of new evidence.
Question 3 - Define inductive and deductive reasoning. Examine the place of both these forms of
reasoning in the field of law.
Inductive Reasoning: Inductive reasoning involves drawing general conclusions from specific
observations. It moves from particular instances to broader generalizations. For example, observing
that a particular legal precedent has been applied in several cases might lead to the conclusion that it
will be applied in future similar cases.
Deductive Reasoning: Deductive reasoning involves drawing specific conclusions from general
principles or premises. It moves from the general to the specific. For instance, if a legal principle
states that all contracts involving minors are void, and a specific contract involves a minor, one can
deduce that the contract is void.
• Inductive Reasoning: Used to derive general legal principles from specific cases, aiding in the
development of case law and precedents. It helps in predicting how courts might rule in
future cases based on past decisions.
• Deductive Reasoning: Applied in interpreting statutes and legal principles to specific cases.
Judges and lawyers use deductive reasoning to apply general legal rules to the facts of a
case, ensuring consistency and adherence to established laws.
Both forms of reasoning are crucial in the legal field, providing a balanced approach to developing
and applying the law.
Question 4 - Examine the relevance of analogical arguments in law. State and explain the
conditions of good analogy.
Analogical arguments are highly relevant in law as they allow for reasoning based on similarities
between cases. They help judges and lawyers apply established legal principles to new situations by
comparing them to previously decided cases. This method aids in maintaining consistency and
fairness in legal decisions.
• Relevance of Similarities: The cases being compared must share relevant characteristics that
are pertinent to the legal issue at hand.
Question 5 - ssDefine logic and bring out the main features of logic.
Logic is the systematic study of principles and criteria that govern valid reasoning and
argumentation. It focuses on the structure and form of arguments, ensuring that conclusions are
logically derived from premises.
• Structure and Form: Emphasizes the logical form of arguments, ensuring that conclusions
follow from premises in a coherent manner.
• Validity and Soundness: Distinguishes between valid arguments (where conclusions logically
follow from premises) and sound arguments (where premises are true and the argument is
valid).
• Deductive and Inductive Reasoning: Explores both deductive (general to specific) and
inductive (specific to general) reasoning processes.
• Avoidance of Fallacies: Identifies and avoids logical fallacies, which are errors in reasoning
that undermine the validity of arguments.
Logic provides essential tools for constructing and evaluating arguments, facilitating clear and
systematic thinking.
Correspondence Theory of Truth: Asserts that truth is what corresponds to reality or facts. A
statement is true if it accurately reflects the way things actually are. This theory emphasizes an
objective relationship between statements and the world.
Coherence Theory of Truth: Claims that truth is determined by the consistency and coherence of a
set of beliefs or statements. A statement is true if it fits well within a coherent system of
interconnected beliefs, regardless of its direct correspondence to reality.
Pragmatic Theory of Truth: Suggests that truth is based on the practical consequences and utility of
a belief or statement. A belief is true if it proves useful and works effectively in practical applications,
emphasizing the practical benefits of holding a particular belief.
These theories offer different perspectives on what constitutes truth and how it can be determined,
each contributing to a broader understanding of the concept.