Logic for right living / Dennis Villanueva

Includes bibliographical reference.

Preface -- Mental Gymnastics -- Introduction : The Meaning and Value of Philosophy -- Branches of Philosophy -- Definition of Logic and its importance -- Chapter 1: Simple Apprehension -- Chapter 2: Judgment -- Chapter 3: Reasoning --Chapter 4 : Fallacies -- Chapter 5 : Agrumentation and Debate. -- Bibliography.

"Thinking is a characteristic known to a man (man, a general term for persons either male or female). It is man's nature to practice his thinking ability in whatever he/she does, most importantly, in solving problems. Problems can be theoretical problems like 2+2 = 4; or can be practical problems like 'why do men have to do good?, or can we prove that there is a God?, and many more.' The concern of logic is to assist the mind in solving practical problems. Logic assists the mind to come up with a valid, correct and logical presentation of the answers based on a given fact.
Every human act presupposes thinking. And every right living presupposes proper judgments. Every action that we do everyday must be a mirror of recollected and meditated thoughts. But each person has its own way of conceptualizing things out according to the manner of his own understanding. If we are to define a human act, it is an act deliberately done with reason and free will. Absolutely, this book is not an ethics book per se. This piece of thing inside our head where this abstract, intelligible realities are contained make our study of Logic substantial. Logic comes first before ethics. One cannot come to apply what is right and wrong if he does not know what to apply if it is right or if it is wrong.
Our reasoning ability should outweigh other human tendencies like feelings, impulses, likes and dislikes - not to undermine the beauty that these impulses, feelings, prejudices would bring into our human life. Impulses also give colors to make life more exciting.Our reasoning power must dominate every human tendencies not by whims or caprice why do I do this or that, but by simple act of reasoning why do I have to do this, or why do I have to do that.
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Logic is known as a science of correct reasoning. This course requires less memory work. The study of logic requires more exercises that will enhance the mind to practice the art of reasoning until it becomes a habit. This book is intended for the non-philosophy majors. This is a simplified presentation of the basic contents in the study of logic. I humbly dedicate this to my students who give me reasons to put my thoughts into writing. These students take logic as a minor subject in order to finish their chosen course. Though taken as a minor subject, logic is essential to their intellectual formation.
Lastly, at the bottom of (almost) every page we find the wisdom from known philosophers. Poems are reflections of their wisdom. These poems are legacy we can hold on, the beauty and splendor they bring to mankind, the treasure that we can consider. . . ours." -- Excerpt from the preface.