formal logic
formal logic — noun
1. the study of arguments that uses rules and symbols to decide if reasoning is val
the study of arguments that uses rules and symbols to decide if reasoning is valid based only on the structure of statements, not on what the statements are about
Cole learned the basic rules of formal logic in his first philosophy class.
collocation: rules of formal logic
Formal logic helps people find mistakes in arguments that are not obvious at first.
Computer programmers use ideas from formal logic when they write code for search engines.
The judge applied formal logic to test whether the lawyer's reasoning was correct.
Ravindra explained formal logic to his classmates using simple rules and clear examples.
- symbolic logic
a branch of formal logic that mainly uses symbols and mathematical methods; more specific than formal logic
- mathematical logic
formal logic applied to mathematical reasoning, using mathematical notation; overlaps with formal logic but has a narrower scope
- informal logic
the study of everyday reasoning in natural language without symbols or strict formal rules
文法句型
formal logic + of + [field/domain]
用法筆記
This phrase is uncountable — it is not used with 'a' unless referring to a specific system (e.g., 'Aristotle developed a formal logic'). It often pairs with 'of' to name a particular field: 'the formal logic of mathematics'.