Logic: The Method of Reason—part 1 by Harry Binswanger

Logic: The Method of Reason -- part 1: Theory

Atlas Shrugged has been aptly described as “a hymn to logic.” But today what one finds in logic textbooks are sterile, formalistic diversions from real-life issues. This course, in contrast, will focus on the most personally important — and most neglected — topic in logic: concepts. It is proper conceptualization, not facility with syllogisms, that makes the difference between clarity and confusion, rational and irrational functioning, adhering to reality and wandering through dreamland. Drawing on Ayn Rand’s revolutionary identifications in logic, these five classes focus on the proper formation, definition, maintenance, and use of concepts. Emphasis will be given to working on practical exercises. The course is based on the material in chapters six and seven of How We Know, with class exercises to practice applying the principles to concrete cases.

Class 1. This lesson sets the stage for the rest of the course by defining terms and demonstrating why logic is an absolute. The respective contributions to logic of Aristotle and Ayn Rand are discussed, including the never-taught but transformative area of concepts. Two essential elements of the identity of consciousness are examined and their implications for logic explained.

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[topol]

This is exactly what a quality education looks like.

[ivanperezs]

I highly recommend his book "How We Know" although I've found new content already in this lecture.

[TyyylerDurden]

Ayn Rand would certainly prefer the Object-oriented programming.

[YashArya]

47:38 Homework for class 2, and question period.

[aberlinerinflorida]

Nice to meet you Harry
Thank you 🙏
Terry
AKA
A Berliner in Florida

[Gorboduc]

In Plato's defense, there's a traditional theory that he used to hang out at the gymnasium, so "the broad" means something more like "swole".

Maybe we can just agree to call him Big Boy?

[Elixziyiel]

"Philosophy determines the course of history."

[exnihilonihilfit]

Wow! ARI is just killing it with the uploads these days! What's happening?! :)))

[topol]

Wonderful lecture. People viewing this should take notes.

[TheBuslaefff]

Damn, hard to grasp all the concepts. Need more explanations on that

[Patriotman]

the speak need to so to a written text!

[Mensetcor]

There is something thats is confusing me.
Ayn Rand said logic is "the art of non-contradictory identification".
But said, too "art is the selective recreation of reality".
I cant see how this fits with "non-contradictory identification". Unless there has a very particular definition ot "art" in this context as volitional application of the "laws of thought" in the very thought - which is tantamount to the liberal Trivium-based definition of art as application of principles of nature. In the objectivist case, our "thought as thought about existence".
But I need some visibility here. Someone?

[TheSimon-dhne]

Why don't you put Spanish subtitles?

[paulusaurelius]

It is illogical to take a class in logic, what am I doing here?
Cat: They say curiosity is hazardous to my kind. Now that's just illogical.

[davidblankenau]

7:50-8:21 -- One of the most powerful, brilliant, least known, appreciated (or even understood) insights into Rand's thinking that I have ever heard; she was perhaps the most profoundly CONCEPTUAL mind in all of human history.

Given today's rampant ANTI-conceptual mindset, it's no wonder she is so reviled and despised (especially by the so-called "intellectuals" in our society). She is a stark, continuous reminder of THEIR abysmal failure to teach the proper philosophical ideas that are so crucial to happy, healthy living on earth.