Logical Thinking

Saturday, May 5, 2018

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In order to think effectively, it is necessary to think in a logical manner.

Logical thinking is thinking that employs valid reasoning to reach a

correct conclusion. Logical thinking is the foundation of rational thought, thought that fits the real world and allows us to function well in it. There are two basic kinds of reasoning involved in logical thinking: inductive reasoning and deductive reasoning.

Inductive reasoning is characterized by making observations and gathering information until a general conclusion is reached. It is the basic method of science. About 500 years ago the astronomer Nicholas Copernicus made observations that led him to formulate the heliocentric theory of the solar system. About 150 years ago the botanist Gregor Mendel raised sweet peas, studied the characteristics of their flowers, and formulated his theory of heredity.

Deductive reasoning is reasoning in which a conclusion follows from a premise. The underlying structure of deductive reasoning is if-then. Such reasoning allows for predictions, and it is often the next step taken after inductive reasoning is employed.

According to Freud, there is a kind of thinking employed at the unconscious level of the mind that is overly primitive. It is neither inductive nor deductive. Freud called this kind of thinking predicate thinking. It is also called paleological thought, meaning ―old‖ thought. It is presumably the kind of thinking used by primitive, prescientific people and by preschool children. 

According to Freud, when two sentences have identical predicates (i.e., ―first parts‖) the objects or people in the sentences become associated in an illogical manner. Here is an example: 

Predicate thinking is not the only way in which thinking can be led astray. Logical errors are common. Such errors include overgeneralization, false analogy, appeal to authority, arguing in circles, and attack on character. Overgeneralization, also known as hasty generalization, takes place when we reach a conclusion that goes substantially beyond the facts that inspire it. An analogy consists of the observation that two basically dissimilar things have some resemblance to each other. A false analogy exists when the comparison between two things is inappropriate. Appeal to authority is characterized making by a reference to a respected person, believed to be well informed, when one‘s own logic or reasoning is weak. Arguing in circles takes place when one‘s premise contains the conclusion that one wants to reach. Attack on character picks out a negative attribute of another person and uses this attribute to discredit other aspects of the person‘s behavior. (Psychology: A Self-Teaching Guide Frank J. Bruno)

(Sumber: Catatan Kuliah Reading Text English for Psychology of Student) 

Tag : Psikologi dan BK