Logic, or the Right Use of Reason in the Inquiry After Truth With a Variety of Rules to Guard Against Error in the Affairs of Religion and Human Life, (Great Awakening Writings (1725-1760))

Rating:
Summary: Logic--a primer on sound reasoning
Review: Isaac Watts' Logic and his companion volume The Improvement of the Mind are among the most extraordinary books I've ever read. The way in which Dr. Watts systematically approaches the subject of reasoning and search for the truth in common or theological matters is unique and very thought provoking. This is a book that ought to be read by many more people.

Rating:
Summary: Logic--a primer on sound reasoning
Review: Isaac Watts' Logic and his companion volume The Improvement of the Mind are among the most extraordinary books I've ever read. The way in which Dr. Watts systematically approaches the subject of reasoning and search for the truth in common or theological matters is unique and very thought provoking. This is a book that ought to be read by many more people.

Rating:
Summary: The mystery of ideas
Review: This is probably not the book to read if one is looking for an introduction to the elementary principles of logic. Not because it is lacking in substance, but rather, the 18th century syntax will probably be too difficult for the less serious reader. But, for that reader who is willing and able to find a quiet cozy spot and finds meditating on ideas for hours on end pure bliss, this book will not disappoint. It is more than merely an elementary textbook on the rules of argumenation. The first 150 pages consist of Watts laying forth a theory of metaphysics which accounts for the nature of ideas, their objects, and the role of the senses in the collection and cultivation of knowledge. I found the book to be fascinating, precisely because Watts is such a careful and deep thinker. Regardless of whether one agrees with his metaphysical presentations of the nature of ideas, one cannot help but recognize that he was truly a gifted and brilliant thinker. Though he was mistaken on a number of theological and philosophical formulations, nevertheless, he stands (to me) as a wonderful example of one who knew of the aesthetic joy of thinking as a hobby and a habit. Buy this, find a cozy and quiet spot in a neighborhood pub or coffeeshop, and endulge yourself with this sweet little book.

Rating:
Summary: The mystery of ideas
Review: This is probably not the book to read if one is looking for an introduction to the elementary principles of logic. Not because it is lacking in substance, but rather, the 18th century syntax will probably be too difficult for the less serious reader. But, for that reader who is willing and able to find a quiet cozy spot and finds meditating on ideas for hours on end pure bliss, this book will not disappoint. It is more than merely an elementary textbook on the rules of argumenation. The first 150 pages consist of Watts laying forth a theory of metaphysics which accounts for the nature of ideas, their objects, and the role of the senses in the collection and cultivation of knowledge. I found the book to be fascinating, precisely because Watts is such a careful and deep thinker. Regardless of whether one agrees with his metaphysical presentations of the nature of ideas, one cannot help but recognize that he was truly a gifted and brilliant thinker. Though he was mistaken on a number of theological and philosophical formulations, nevertheless, he stands (to me) as a wonderful example of one who knew of the aesthetic joy of thinking as a hobby and a habit. Buy this, find a cozy and quiet spot in a neighborhood pub or coffeeshop, and endulge yourself with this sweet little book.

Rating:
Summary: Based on The Truth
Review: While is true that you can't make someone believe, even in the face of insurmountable evidence, when they have already firmly chosen not to believe, in spite of the evidence, it is a sad day when someone, (for previously formed opinions?) bashes a book based on bad evidence. The reviewer who wrote "Based on 18th century axioms, since proven false" is himself making a false statement. His claim that the Bible (did he even read it?) is not infallible because it was written by liars might be a good argument had his second premise ("we can conclusively deduce that liars wrote the Bible") been true. But it is not. The Bible does not claim to be written by men, it claims to be written by men under the inspiration of God (the Holy Spirit - second person of the Trinity). There is a big difference. (Maybe not if don't believe in - or at least acknowledge the work of the Holy Spirit.) But even if you don't believe in the Holy Spirit, the Bible still does not claim to be authored by men alone, as the reviewer claims. Although I do agree with his first premise ("all men tell lies") his arguement still does not show that all men lie all the time, therefore it would not follow that the men who wrote the Bible were necessarily lying at the time they were writing the Bible. Also, if we took his premise that the Bible is written by liars because all men are liars, does it not follow that we could not believe what he has written (or the authors he recommends) because they to would be liars. How then could we ever believe anything anybody ever says?
Would it not be better (and more honest) to simply say "I do not like this book because I do not believe in God"?
The reviewer has not given us any reason to reject Mr. Watts premise that the Bible "ought to be our final rule". Therefore, Mr. Watt's premise still stands. And after 2000 years of people trying to make Jesus out to be a liar, no one, ever, has been able to. Jesus claimed to be God (the book of John). The only logical conclusion is that He is. Believe it or not.