Root of the Week: LOG (Monday)

Logic (Noun)

Logic is both a familiar mode of thought and also a formal branch of philosophy (practiced by logicians.). In a general way, logic simply means reasoning--we draw inferences, we come to conclusion based on evidence or deduction. We tend to consider an idea or claim logical if it conforms to our idea of valid criteria for drawing conclusions.  For example, if I know that the forecast calls for temperatures below 32 degrees F and also for precipitation, I can conclude that we are likely to get snow. The inference is based on scientific principles: water freezes at 32 degrees and falling water freezes, becoming snow.  

Humans can also come up with arguments that have a superficial appearance of logic while being entirely specious.  In the 17th century, it was believed that water, being a “pure” element, would not “receive” a witch.  Logically, then, a witch could be detected by being tossed, bound, into a body of water.  A person who floated was a witch (subject to execution) and one who drowned was innocent, if dead. If your premise is flawed, your logic (the “if…then” kind of reasoning) can lead to dangerous conclusions!