Hello friends, many years ago, through interest in philosophy and internet discussions and debate, I decided to search for resources to learn about formal logic, and through that, learn to better identify examples of fallacies in reasoning. So for the benefit of everyone interested, allow me to help guide in a few directions to helpful resources on classical logic.
Online Sites:
Logical Fallacies
Fallacy Files
Teller Logic Primer
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (many scholarly articles related directly to the study of logic)
Merriam-Webster (a solid general source for simple quick easier to understand definitions).
The Internet Classics Archive (a source for the writings of the early Greek Philosophers such as Aristotle and his work "Categories")
Apologetics 315 (many great resources here)
Fallacy Detective
Short List of Selective Books:
Logic: A God Centered Approach by Vern S. Poythress on Amazon (Description: For the well-rounded Christian looking to improve their critical thinking skills, here is an accessible introduction to the study of logic (parts 1 & 2) as well as an in-depth treatment of the discipline (parts 3 & 4) from a professor with 6 academic degrees and over 30 years experience teaching. Questions for further reflection are included at the end of each chapter as well as helpful diagrams and charts that are appropriate for use in high school, home school, college, and graduate-level classrooms. Overall, Vern Poythress has undertaken a radical recasting of the study of logic in this revolutionary work from a Christian worldview.)
Logic The Right Use of Reason in the Inquiry After Truth by Isaac Watts (Amazon description: As a child of Puritan parents, it is not surprising that Isaac Watts was greatly concerned about people s ability to think clearly. Whether a man was studying for the ministry or any other of the sciences, the ability to reason rightly was of utmost importance. Watts s work on logic and reason became a standard textbook for nearly 200 years, being used in such schools as Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, and Yale. In Logic, Watts address proper thinking under the four basic functions of the human mind: perception, judgment, reasoning, and disposition. In part one, Watts addresses human perception, the cultivation of ideas, and how we associate them with words. In part two, Watts treats human judgment and its ability to construct various kinds of propositions, while giving guidance for avoiding the formation of bad judgments. Part three covers our ability to reason, giving instruction on the use of syllogisms for constructing a good argument. Part four discusses the mind s disposition as a method of arranging our thoughts for better understanding and memory. This book will help discipline the mind and train the reader to discern proper thinking and argumentation in seeking truth.)
Socratic Logic by Peter Kreeft (Amazon description: Modelling Socrates as the ideal teacher for the beginner and Socratic method as the ideal method. Introducing philosophical issues along with logic by being philosophical about logic and logical about philosophy. Presenting a complete system of classical Aristotelian logic, the logic of ordinary language and of the four language arts: reading, writing, listening and speaking.)
Introduction to Logic by Copi & Cohen (Amazon description: Introduction to Logic is a proven textbook that has been honed through the collaborative efforts of many scholars over the last five decades. Its scrupulous attention to detail and precision in exposition and explanation is matched by the greatest accuracy in all associated detail. In addition, it continues to capture student interest through its personalized human setting and current examples. The 14th Edition of Introduction to Logic, written by Copi, Cohen & McMahon, is dedicated to the many thousands of students and their teachers - at hundreds of universities in the United States and around the world - who have used its fundamental methods and techniques of correct reasoning in their everyday lives.)
Logic & Faith: Discerning truth in logical arguments by Jason Lisle
Biblical Logic: In Theory and Practice by Joel McDurmon
Short Selective Audio Lectures:
Several lectures from R.C. Sproul's "Defending Your Faith" series deal directly with logic. Last I checked these are also available on Youtube.
The lecture "Law of Non-Contradiction" especially by Ronald H. Nash from his course on Christian Apologetics.
The late Dr. Greg Bahnsen did a college level course on logic using the text from Copi & Cohen, which is good to use with the textbook, however the audio quality leaves much to be desired.
Perhaps more will be added to this at a later time.
No True Scottsman from An Illustrated Book of Bad Arguments
Online Sites:
Logical Fallacies
Fallacy Files
Teller Logic Primer
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (many scholarly articles related directly to the study of logic)
Merriam-Webster (a solid general source for simple quick easier to understand definitions).
The Internet Classics Archive (a source for the writings of the early Greek Philosophers such as Aristotle and his work "Categories")
Apologetics 315 (many great resources here)
Fallacy Detective
Short List of Selective Books:
Logic: A God Centered Approach by Vern S. Poythress on Amazon (Description: For the well-rounded Christian looking to improve their critical thinking skills, here is an accessible introduction to the study of logic (parts 1 & 2) as well as an in-depth treatment of the discipline (parts 3 & 4) from a professor with 6 academic degrees and over 30 years experience teaching. Questions for further reflection are included at the end of each chapter as well as helpful diagrams and charts that are appropriate for use in high school, home school, college, and graduate-level classrooms. Overall, Vern Poythress has undertaken a radical recasting of the study of logic in this revolutionary work from a Christian worldview.)
Logic The Right Use of Reason in the Inquiry After Truth by Isaac Watts (Amazon description: As a child of Puritan parents, it is not surprising that Isaac Watts was greatly concerned about people s ability to think clearly. Whether a man was studying for the ministry or any other of the sciences, the ability to reason rightly was of utmost importance. Watts s work on logic and reason became a standard textbook for nearly 200 years, being used in such schools as Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, and Yale. In Logic, Watts address proper thinking under the four basic functions of the human mind: perception, judgment, reasoning, and disposition. In part one, Watts addresses human perception, the cultivation of ideas, and how we associate them with words. In part two, Watts treats human judgment and its ability to construct various kinds of propositions, while giving guidance for avoiding the formation of bad judgments. Part three covers our ability to reason, giving instruction on the use of syllogisms for constructing a good argument. Part four discusses the mind s disposition as a method of arranging our thoughts for better understanding and memory. This book will help discipline the mind and train the reader to discern proper thinking and argumentation in seeking truth.)
Socratic Logic by Peter Kreeft (Amazon description: Modelling Socrates as the ideal teacher for the beginner and Socratic method as the ideal method. Introducing philosophical issues along with logic by being philosophical about logic and logical about philosophy. Presenting a complete system of classical Aristotelian logic, the logic of ordinary language and of the four language arts: reading, writing, listening and speaking.)
Introduction to Logic by Copi & Cohen (Amazon description: Introduction to Logic is a proven textbook that has been honed through the collaborative efforts of many scholars over the last five decades. Its scrupulous attention to detail and precision in exposition and explanation is matched by the greatest accuracy in all associated detail. In addition, it continues to capture student interest through its personalized human setting and current examples. The 14th Edition of Introduction to Logic, written by Copi, Cohen & McMahon, is dedicated to the many thousands of students and their teachers - at hundreds of universities in the United States and around the world - who have used its fundamental methods and techniques of correct reasoning in their everyday lives.)
Logic & Faith: Discerning truth in logical arguments by Jason Lisle
Biblical Logic: In Theory and Practice by Joel McDurmon
Short Selective Audio Lectures:
Several lectures from R.C. Sproul's "Defending Your Faith" series deal directly with logic. Last I checked these are also available on Youtube.
The lecture "Law of Non-Contradiction" especially by Ronald H. Nash from his course on Christian Apologetics.
The late Dr. Greg Bahnsen did a college level course on logic using the text from Copi & Cohen, which is good to use with the textbook, however the audio quality leaves much to be desired.
Perhaps more will be added to this at a later time.
No True Scottsman from An Illustrated Book of Bad Arguments
