We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Philosophy

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is the Logical Form?

H. Bliss
By
Updated: May 23, 2024
Views: 7,153
References
Share

A logical form is essentially a language formula designed to reveal the essentials of a true statement. Methods of thought that employ the logical form include deductive and inductive reasoning, logical analysis, and retroduction. A logical form is made by boiling a statement down to essential components, using quantifying variables for the active parts of the sentence. When the statement is an argument, it can be called the argument form. The development of this method is attributed to the Greek philosopher Aristotle.

One of the main advantages of this method is that it is a means of examining the basic parts of an argument to determine whether its form allows the possibility of the argument being true. It's not a foolproof method though; a logical form can prove that a false argument is true if one of the argument's premises is false, so it's not safe to assume that an assertion is true based only on logical form. When applying a logical form to an assertion, it is important to consider whether the assertion is meant to apply overall or just in a particular context, because a statement can be true in some situations even if it is not true in all situations.

The logical form is created by turning the parts of a statement into components that are represented by variables. In the statement “All candy is dessert, and all dessert is wonderful," the form would be represented as "All C is D, and all D is W." Once it is reduced to variables, it is treated much like a mathematical statement. This shorthand pulls information that is irrelevant to the contextual truth of the statement out of the way, allowing conclusions to be made from the form of the statement rather than the content. From this statement, it can be inferred that C, being D, is also W, so all candy is wonderful. Introducing the statement "All pie is dessert," or "All P is D," to the previous statement would lead to the conclusion that all pie, being dessert, is also wonderful.

Breaking down arguments into their basic components often reveals that such arguments follow one of the recognized logical forms of argument. These forms help identify whether an argument is valid, sound or invalid based on how the statements leading to a conclusion are arranged. Common valid argument forms include the dilemma, the proposing mode and the removing mode. The many logical fallacies which create the weaknesses in invalid arguments include using personal attacks, generalizations or appeals to authority to make the stated case.

Share
Language & Humanities is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Link to Sources
H. Bliss
By H. Bliss
Heather Bliss, a passionate writer with a background in communication, brings her love for connecting with others to her work. With a relevant degree, she crafts compelling content that informs and inspires, showcasing her unique perspective and her commitment to making a difference.
Discussion Comments
H. Bliss
H. Bliss
Heather Bliss, a passionate writer with a background in communication, brings her love for connecting with others to her...
Learn more
Share
https://www.languagehumanities.org/what-is-the-logical-form.htm
Copy this link
Language & Humanities, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

Language & Humanities, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.