Logical thinking

Logic in translation from the classical Greek is a reasoning. It would seem that we all reason, therefore, logical thinking is inherent in our mind. However, operations with reasoning are only one of the types of processes of understanding and cognition. Reflecting on the task, solving the problem, we can use this or that type of thinking or several at once.

Young children did not yet have the ability to think logically and abstractly. Remember how children are taught to consider: in order to give the child an idea of the non-existent number "3" in nature, he is allowed to touch three similar objects. The child will need an effort to get distracted from the insignificant differences between these objects (for example, from the fact that one of the three apples is green and the other red) and combine the objects into one group.

Consequently, logical thinking, in contrast to figurative, operates with abstract concepts. This is a special kind of comprehension process, where ready-made logical constructions, concepts, judgments are used, and in the end a conclusion or conclusion is worked out. It can not be said that the use of such a design necessarily leads to the correct conclusion. It is also incorrect that if a person uses imagination, he will think emotionally, figuratively or he will listen to intuition, this will lead him to erroneous conclusions. It is good to use all types of thinking in the process of thinking over the problem, while not forgetting about the critical approach.

Our understanding, starting from a concrete case, goes on to abstract logical constructions and inferences so that, having created a solution, transfer it again to this particular, isolated case. Thus, logical thinking passes through the following stages. Analysis, when we dismember a certain complex situation on the constituent characteristics or parts. At this stage, we apply methods of induction, deduction and analogy. The deductive method allows to draw a conclusion - if something is applicable to a group of objects, then it is applicable to one subject of the given group. And the inductive, on the contrary, suggests that some basic qualities of one object extend to all the objects of the group. The analogy connects specific objects of two different groups, similar in some way to their properties.

But logical thinking is not limited to simple analysis and synthesis . In its process it goes through certain stages. The first of these is the search for and determination of cause-effect relationships. What caused this phenomenon? Why did this problem arise? The correct establishment of such links is the key to the success of a correct conclusion. The second stage is the separation of the main from the secondary. "After" does not mean "due". If we take the secondary, the particular as essential, we will construct the wrong conclusion. Next comes the operation with concepts and judgments - in fact, the search for a solution.

Judgments can be erroneous, stereotyped. If we take them without a critical approach, we run the risk of finding ourselves in a dead end. At this stage, we abstract from our specific case and think globally, using verbal terms. In our mind there is no specific image of the subject, but there are linguistic constructions. Verbal-logical thinking is very important at all stages of solving the problem: with the correct formulation of the question; When identifying what was the cause of its occurrence; When identifying what exactly needs to be created (or eliminated) to solve the problem. And, of course, in order to understand how to apply your abstract conclusion to this particular situation.

It would be wrong to believe that abstract-logical thinking can completely replace or supplant imagery, sensual, intuitive and associative. A person is therefore stronger than a robot, which is able to apply all types of understanding simultaneously, in addition to solving standard problems by stereotyped methods. Our emotional attitudes (sympathies or antipathies), our imagination and imagination, associations that allow us to mentally compare completely different things and concepts, sometimes lead us to completely non-trivial, illogical, but surprisingly brilliant conclusions.