Conclusion

Amy E. Varela

pp. 365-366

in: Carlo Cellucci, Rethinking logic, Berlin, Springer, 2013

Abstract

Logic is generally considered to be the study of the principles of valid inference, thus a subject, like papyrology or botany. But logic is not only that, it is also that problem solving capacity that virtually all organisms have as a result of biological evolution, and without which they could not survive. Thus logic is not only a subject, but also a basic ability of all organisms. This contrasts with Frege's view that logic is a primordial body of laws that are fixed and absolute, and with which human beings must comply. Such laws, the laws of logic, descended from some rational heaven and hence have some sort of sovereign, transcendental validity.