It would seem as if there were as many different definitions as there are books on the subject. This is due partly to the disposition of the older logicians to ignore the art of logic and partly to the difficulty of giving in a few words a satisfactory description of a broad subject. In the fundamentals of logical doctrine present-day authorities virtually agree.
4. THE VALUE OF LOGIC TO THE STUDENT.
Logic is rapidly coming into favor as a major subject in institutions devoted to educational theory. Some of the reasons for this change of attitude are herewith subjoined:
(1) Logic should stimulate the thought powers. This is the age of the survival of the thinker. The fact that the man who thinks best is the man who thinks much and carefully will be accepted by those who believe that practice makes perfect. “One needs only to observe the average commuter to conclude that a large percent. of our business men read too much and think too little.” “Much readee and no thinkee” was the reply of a Chinaman when asked his opinion of the doings of the average American. “We as a people are newspaper mad, reading for entertainment, seldom for mental improvement.”
(2) Logic aims to secure correct thought. Are notmany of the sins and most of the failures in this world due to incorrect thinking?
(3) Logic should train to clear thinking. It would be difficult to estimate the loss of energy to the brain worker because he has not the power to think clearly. Maximum efficiency is impossible with a befogged brain. How discouraging it is to the student to attempt to get from the paragraph the thought of the author, who in trying to be profound succeeds in being profoundly abstruse. There is a probable need for broad, deep thoughts, but these when placed in a text book should be sharpened to a point.
(4) Logic should aid one to estimate aright the statements and arguments of others. This is of especial value to the teacher who is constrained to teach largely from text books. Because it is found in a book is not proof positive that it is true. Why should we assume that the book is infallible when we know that the man behind the book is fallible?
(5) Logic insists on definite, systematic procedure. To be logical is to be businesslike. A study of logic would, no doubt, benefit our churches and parliamentary orders as well as our schools.
(6) Logic demands lucid, pointed, accurate expression. How we would increase our working efficiency could we but express our thoughts in an attractive and interesting manner. To listen to the speeches of some of our great and good men who are concerned in directing the “ship of state” is sufficient argument that the American schools need more logic.
(7) Logic is especially adapted to a general mental training. Despite the swing of the pendulum of public opinion toward the bread-and-butter side of life, there are many of high repute who claim that for the sake of that mental acumen which distinguished the Greek from his contemporaries we cannot afford to sacrifice everything on the altar of commercialism.