Logic as a Science of Patterns?

0580766 - FLÚ 2024 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
Peregrin, Jaroslav
Logic as a Science of Patterns?
The Journal of Philosophy. Roč. 121, č. 1 (2024), s. 5-25. ISSN 0022-362X
R&D Projects: GA ČR(CZ) GA20-18675S
Institutional support: RVO:67985955
Keywords : logic * inferential pattern * refective equilibrium * inferentialism * science
OECD category: Philosophy, History and Philosophy of science and technology
Method of publishing: Limited access
https://doi.org/10.5840/jphil202412111

I propose that logic may be seen as a science of patterns-however, not in the sense in which mathematics is a science of patterns, but rather in the sense in which physics is. The proposal is that logic identifies, explores, and fixes the inferential patterns which de facto govern our argumentative practices. It can be seen, I argue, as picking up the patterns and working from them toward the state of reflective equilibrium, where the laws it aims at are explicitly articulated. Due to the normativity of logic, this process is not quite the same as that in which a natural science works its way from data to its laws: however, there is no reason why it should be seen as proceeding via a mysterious “a priori analysis.” Instead, it should proceed in the intersubjective space in which the sciences are practiced.
Permanent Link: https://hdl.handle.net/11104/0349566