Q&A: The “Laws” of Logic?
The “Laws” of Logic?
Question
With God’s help,
Hello Rabbi,
I saw a responsum here on the site that somewhat implies that the laws of logic are part of an idea, but on the other hand of course we can’t think otherwise than them (or at least with respect to some of the laws).
So I wanted to ask: how do you conceive of these laws? As part of an idea, or as something with reality external to us that we observe? Or as part of a brain-based structure of thought such that we simply can’t think otherwise? Or both?
For example, when we say that 1+1=2, then theoretically if there were always a demon adding the “third,” it wouldn’t be possible for us to arrive at the conclusion that it equals 3. But perhaps from that itself there is proof that right now we are incapable of thinking that way.
Answer
In my opinion they have no concrete reality at all. They are embedded in the world by virtue of logic itself. I have written several times in the past that the laws of logic are not laws in the sense that the laws of physics are laws. Search for it here on the site.
Is that because subjectively we are unable to think otherwise, or because it is true and therefore we are unable to think otherwise? That is a meaningless question. If we cannot think otherwise, how could we answer that question?
Thank you,
how is this different from the Euthyphro dilemma? Since insofar as we are dealing with a law that is true in every possible world, then the question whether it is an external idea, or because of God (part of His nature, for example), or because of His command—when God too is a necessary being—does have meaning. But here, because it is impossible to think otherwise, it has no meaning.
But the Rabbi did use language elsewhere that does seem to imply that it is an idea, so was that just said for the sake of illustration?
“It may perhaps be compared to ‘seeing’ a logical law. When I ‘see’ (with the mind’s eye, that is, understand) that 2+3=5, it is clear to me that this is an eternal law and not a characteristic of one specific event or another.”