Logic: The Art of Defining and Reasoning (2nd Edition) [Facsimile] [Paperback]

Osterle (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0135399998 | ISBN-13: 978-0135399996 | Publication Date: March 25, 1963 | Edition: 2

The essentials of Aristotelian logic in brief, with exercises.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

The essentials of Aristotelian logic in brief, with exercises.

Product Details

• Paperback: 279 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 2 edition (March 25, 1963)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0135399998
• ISBN-13: 978-0135399996
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #760,302 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Introduction, April 1, 2002

By 

Scott M. Sullivan (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Logic: The Art of Defining and Reasoning (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

This is a "classic" introduction to classical logic. This book is important for today in understanding not only the foundations of logic itself but also in contrasting the traditional Aristoltelian logic with the modern symbolic versions. Oesterle defends the classical viewpoints such as the Square of Opposition from modern critics by showing that modern logic is too abstract and lacks intentionality towards real things, with the result for symbolic logic being what Henry B. Veatch called a "logic that can't say what anything is".
Classical logic as presented here is overdue for a comeback in thinking circles.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Classical Logic, July 27, 2002

By 

"tenzig_shirpa" (Saskatoon, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Logic: The Art of Defining and Reasoning (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

Classical logic is interesting. For students of modern logic(s), it seems utterly backwards and strange. Oesterle trys his best to present Aristotelian Logic (which more logicians should learn) in a format that is totally divorced from "The Organon" or other classic texts. This makes Oesterle easier to read than pure Aristotle, but it isn't easy. The scholarly voice is very complex, and feels dated. The book was originally written in 1953 and revised ten years later. Prehaps this was the popular voice in logic and philosophy at the time, or prehaps it is simply Oesterle's approach to the subject matter. Aristotelian Logic is not difficult, but the text manages to make it a little trickier.

It's not a bad book but it's not great either, but I'm under the impression it's the best one out there so you might have little choice. As for the physical properties of the book, it's extremely cheaply bound and looks like a stack of photocopies, cover included. Old printing of the book used to have a green glossy cover, the current grey paper cover stands up poorly to the lightest of abuse.

4.0 out of 5 stars Term Logic, July 27, 2009

By 

Benjamin Espen "With Both Hands" (Flagstaff, AZ United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Logic: The Art of Defining and Reasoning (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

An excellent introductory logic text. I used this book as part of an introductory logic course, and I found the book very well laid out, with excellent exercises at the end of most chapters to help reinforce the material. A strictly Aristotelian/Thomist approach to logic.

As such, this is a term logic, which differentiates this from modern logic, which is most often propositional. Aristotle ends precisely where most modern logics begin, with the analysis of propositions reduced to their abstract form. Aristotle, and all those who have followed him, begin with simple apprehension. In order to discuss, you first must know. Once you know, you then must judge. Only then can you proceed to reason.