An introductory text-book of logic - Mellone, Sydney - Rare Books at ...

4
THE GENERAL AIM OF LOGIC.
agreement with others, we must not only be able to
point to the things ; we must know the meaning, the
thought, which the name expresses. Socrates con
sidered that this could be done by comparing the
things, to ascertain the common qualities on account
of which they received a common name. His chief
contribution to Logic, therefore, was to make people
see the importance of Definition, as a means of know
ing things. Plato made further contributions to the
analysis of the methods of discussion and scientific pro
cedure ; but in Aristotle, these questions gain distinct
ness and receive more suo a separate treatment.
Aristotle is the real founder of Logic as a science, for
he worked it out systematically in all its parts. His
doctrines are contained in six small but masterly
treatises, which afterwards, on account of their affinity,
were collectively referred to as the Organon. The
treatises of which the Organon consists are the
following :
1. The Categories. This is a philosophical introduc
tion to Logic.
2. De Interpretation (On Expression in Words).
An account of terms and propositions.
3. Prior Analytics. An account of formal reasoning
(see below, ch. v.)
4. Posterior Analytics. An account of the processes
by which demonstrative or reasoned truth may
be obtained (as in Mathematics).
5. Topics. An account of reasoning in matters
where complete demonstration is unattain
able.
6. Sophistical Difficulties. An account of fallacious
arguments.
He founded a logical tradition which has lasted to