Is logic a way of knowing, or an instrument of knowledge?

Answer 1

Logic is an informed process that leads to a viable conclusion
using ones knowledge.

Answer 2

According the Aristotle logical thought required the pre-extence of self-evident truths.

In other words we must know something first, then apply logic to find out other truths.

So logic is the "way" we take knowledge and generate new knowledge.

While the assumption of about self-evident truths was disproved in the 19th century by the non-euclidian geometries and another assumption that there could be only one logical system was also disproved at the same time, logic still works based on knowledge to get generate more knowledge.

While there are other ways to generate knowledge, eg observation, experimentation etc.

The problem for the instrument of knowledge is your ambigous grammar. Do you mean Knowledge uses logic or do you mean knowledge is used by logic. It is more of a cycle. Logic generates knowledge and the knowledge is used by logic to generate more knowledge.

Answer 3

Logic is like a pattern or formula by which you follows to evaluate arguments. Logic by itself does not give you knowledge. For deductive logic: It has to be input with true statements (premises) to come up with a true conclusion. For inductive logic: Even when the input premises is true, it only gives you plausible conclusion.

DEDUCTION:
Something logical does not guarantee that it is true if the input is not true. For example, "If all human is green, I am a human. Logically, I am green." That is logic, but not true.

The statements inputed can also be true, yet illogical. For example, "Some human likes chocolate. I am a human, so I like chocolate". All three clauses are true, but it is illogical because notices it is only SOME human, not all. That's why I am one of the human, it's not necessary that I fall into the chocolate liking category. But I just happens to be. It is illogical because the conclusion does not follows from the premises.

INDUCTION:
For example, from past experience, Amy has always been getting straight A. It is highly plausible that she will still get A next test. But chances might be she happen to be sick and didn't study as well and so end up getting a B.

Suggested reading "A Concise Introduction to Logic", by Hurley.

Answer 4

It's a way of addressing issues consistently and rationally, so I suppose it could be held to be both a way of knowing and an instrument of knowledge.

However logic alone is inert, like a violin without music. It has to be applied to be useful. And rigid logic can be a prison, rather than a key. I think maybe the answer is to use it well, and not go against it when instinct could lead you into danger - but not to be afraid to put instinct ahead of logic when it feels right.

Answer 5

Logic is the process of knowing.

Answer 6

instrument of knowledge

Answer 7

Logic means correct or right thinking.

Answer 8

As long as things cannot be proven wrong logically, they are considered true.