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Logical Reasoning

One reason why formal logic is taught as an element in the philosophy curriculum is that it is supposed that there is an intimate connection between logic and reasoning. Reasoning is what good philosophers do well, and good philosophical reasoning is logical. Hence an introduction to the principles of formal logic is an indispensable constituent of a sound training in philosophy. Until very recently, this sort of argument was generally accepted without question. However, there clearly is an empirical question worth investigating: 'Does a training in formal logic improve a person's reasoning ability?'. Some recent (admittedly rather crude) experiments by psychologists indicate that the answer is 'No'. But even if improving one's grasp of logic doesnot improve one's power of reasoning, it might still be claimed that the principles of logic are the principles of reasoning (for learning about these principles - acquiring theoretical knowledge of them - may be of no help in the practical art of using them effectively). More modestly, it is surely plausible to suppose that logic is not irrelevant to reasoning.

- Goldstein, L. (1988). Logic and Reasoning. Erkenntnis (1975-), 28(3), 297–320. http://www.jstor.org/stable/20012151