Deviant Logic, Fuzzy Logic: Beyond the Formalism [Paperback]

Susan Haack (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0226311341 | ISBN-13: 978-0226311340 | Publication Date: December 15, 1996 | Edition: 1

Initially proposed as rivals of classical logic, alternative logics have become increasingly important in areas such as computer science and artificial intelligence. Fuzzy logic, in particular, has motivated major technological developments in recent years.

Susan Haack's Deviant Logic provided the first extended examination of the philosophical consequences of alternative logics. In this new volume, Haack includes the complete text of Deviant Logic, as well as five additional papers that expand and update it. Two of these essays critique fuzzy logic, while three augment Deviant Logic's treatment of deduction and logical truth. Haack also provides an extensive new foreword, brief introductions to the new essays, and an updated bibliography of recent work in these areas.

Deviant Logic, Fuzzy Logic will be indispensable to students of philosophy, philosophy of science, linguistics, mathematics, and computer science, and will also prove invaluable to experienced scholars working in these fields.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The success of fuzzy logic in certain technological applications such as in controllers for air-conditioners and other appliances, in subway braking systems, and so forth, has led some philosophers to see it as a rival to classical logic. This book is an extended defense of classical logic against attacks by proponents not only of fuzzy logic but also of many-valued, dialethic, intuitionist, and other "alternative" logics. Haack (philosophy, Univ. of Miami) deals here not only with logic but also with important issues in epistemology; however, the level of discourse is such that its main audience will be logicians and serious students of philosophy. The book contains the complete text of Haack's 1974 publication, Deviant Logic, and five other essays that have also appeared before. In view of this, academic libraries need consider only as budgets allow.?Leon H. Brody, U.S. Office of Personnel Mgt. Lib., Washingon, D.C.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 318 pages
• Publisher: University Of Chicago Press; 1 edition (December 15, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0226311341
• ISBN-13: 978-0226311340
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,338,738 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Postmodernist Logic, August 6, 2000

By 

leongardo (Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Deviant Logic, Fuzzy Logic: Beyond the Formalism (Paperback)

One of the most interesting thing about deviant logic is its widespread dismissal by the academic community despite the widespread application of fuzzy logic to home appliances and engineering devices and other aspects. Susan Haack has addressed the lacunae admirably in this wonderful book and she deserves every kudos for it. It is pitched at a not-too-technical level and should appeal to all layman and also the academics.

11 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars This is the best response to fuzzy logic?, December 12, 2000

By 

Yuri Kuzyk (Toronto, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Deviant Logic, Fuzzy Logic: Beyond the Formalism (Paperback)

Wow, what a disappointment this book is! First, it is quite pricey considering it is simply a collection of Haack's papers that have been published in various journals; one would expect better editing and perhaps even a glossary but this simply copies the papers verbatim.

For those who are beginners in formal logic or who have been out of the field for a while you will likely have problems beginning in the first chapter. Who remembers the definition of "wff"?

No, Haack should have completely rewritten the papers to make the ideas and arguments approachable for all readers of this book or at least she should have included something like "intended for the graduate level philosophy student" to make her intention clear. The book needs expansion of ideas beginning with some basics as well as some "niceties" such as a glossary of acronyms and some good editing.

That said, the basic premise of the book is rather a sad statement on the present level of thinking inside formal logic. Haack quite plainly states "I do not beleve truth comes in degrees"...Indeed. From a scientific/mathematical/engineering background, I find that quite a loaded statement and indicative of a completely closed pre-postmodernist mind.

Considering the work done in mathematics, computing and science since Godel by people like Turing, Chaitin and Prigogine showing the inconsistencies that may be found at the core of formal Aristotelian-based logic and its derivatives perhaps Haack should leave her foxhole. Yes, there is no reason to keep defending formal logic's shortcomings has long since disappeared along with Newton's view of the universe.

In the end, I would highly recommend anyone thinking about purchasing this book to consider the validity of "truth does not come in degrees" and then go and buy "Fuzzy Set Theory" and Perlovsky's latest.