logical thinking view meaning

The human resource department in your organization has determined that leadership skills are important for anyone looking to go into a senior management position. So, it decides that it needs proof of leadership before hiring anyone internally. To find the right person for the senior management position , every candidate must undertake a project that involves a team of five. Whoever leads the winning team will get the senior managerial position.

This example shows a logical conclusion that is reached by your organization’s human resource department. In this case, your HR department has utilized logical thinking to determine the best internal candidate for the senior manager position.

It could be summarized as follows:

Statement 1: People with excellent leadership skills that produce winning teams make great senior managers. Statement 2: Candidate A is an excellent leader that has produced a winning team. Conclusion: Candidate A will make an excellent senior manager .

A marketing company researches working women on behalf of one of their clients – a robotics company. They find out that these women feel overwhelmed with responsibilities at home and in the workplace. As a result, they do not have enough time to clean, take care of their children, and stay productive in the workplace. A robotics company uses this research to create a robot cleaner that can be operated remotely . Then they advertise this cleaner specifically to working women with the tag line, “Working women can do it all with a little bit of help.” As a result of this marketing campaign, their revenues double within a year.

This example shows a logical conclusion reached by a robotics company after receiving the results of marketing research on working women. In this case, logical thinking has enabled the company to come up with a new marketing strategy for their cleaning product.

Statement 1: Working women struggle to keep their homes clean. Statement 2: Robot cleaners can take over cleaning duties for women who struggle to keep their homes clean. Conclusion: Robot cleaner can help working women keep their homes clean.

CalcX. Inc. has created a customer survey concerning its new finance software. The goal of the survey is to determine what customers like best about the software. After reading through over 100 customer reviews and ratings, it emerges that 60% of customers love the new user interface because it’s easy to navigate. CalcX. Inc. then decides to improve its marketing strategy. It decides to train every salesperson to talk about the easy navigation feature and how superior it is to the competition. So, every time a client objects to the price, the sales rep could admit that it is expensive, but the excellent user interface makes up for the price. At the end of the year, it emerges that this strategy has improved sales revenues by 10%.

The above example shows how logical thinking has helped CalcX. Sell more software and improve its bottom line.

Statement 1: If the majority of customers like a particular software feature, then sales reps should use it to overcome objections and increase revenues. Statement 2: 60% of the surveyed customers like the user interface of the new software, and; they think it makes navigation easier. Conclusion: The sales reps should market the new software’s user interface and the fact that it is easy to navigate to improve the company’s bottom line.

A political candidate hires a focus group to discuss hot-button issues they feel strongly about. It emerges that the group is torn on sexual reproductive health issues, but most support the issue of internal security . However, nearly everyone is opposed to the lower wages being paid due to the current economic crisis. Based on the results of this research, the candidate decides to focus on improving the economy and security mechanisms in the country. He also decides to let go of the sexual productive health issues because it would potentially cause him to lose some support.

In this case, the political candidate has made logical conclusions on what topics he should use to campaign for his seat with minimal controversies so that he doesn’t lose many votes.

This situation could be summarized as follows:

Statement 1: Most people find sexual reproductive health issues controversial and cannot agree. Statement 2: Most people feel that the internal security of the country is in jeopardy and something should be done about it. Statement 3: Most people want higher wages and an improved economy. Statement 4: Political candidates who want to win must avoid controversy and speak up on things that matter to people. Conclusion: To win, political candidates must focus on higher wages, an improved economy, and the internal security of the country while avoiding sexual reproductive health matters.

Deductive reasoning is an aspect of logical reasoning. It is a top-down reasoning approach that enables you to form a specific logical conclusion based on generalities. Therefore, you can use one or more statements, usually referred to as premises, to conclude something.

For example:

Statement 1: All mothers are women Statement 2: Daisy is a mother. Conclusion: Daisy is a woman.

Based on the above examples, all mothers are classified as women, and since Daisy is a mother, then it’s logical to deduce that she is a woman too.

It’s worth noting though, that deductive reasoning does not always produce an accurate conclusion based on reality.

Statement 1: All caregivers in this room are nurses. Statement 2: This dog, Tom, is a caregiver. Conclusion: This dog, Tom, is a nurse .

From the above example, we have deduced that Tom, the dog, is a nurse simply because the first statement stated that all caregivers are nurses. And yet, in reality, we know that dogs cannot be nurses. They do not have the mental capacity to become engaged in the profession.

For this reason, you must bear in mind that an argument can be validly based on the conditions but it can also be unsound if some statements are based on a fallacy.

Since logical thinking is so important in the workplace, most job interviewers will want to see you demonstrate this skill at the job interview. It is very important to keep in mind your logical thinking skills when you talk about yourself at the interview.

There are many ways in which an interviewer may ask you to demonstrate your logical thinking skills. For example:

You may have to solve an example problem. If the interviewer provides you a problem similar to one you might find at your job, make sure to critically analyze the problem to deduce a solution.

You may be asked about a previous problem or conflict you had to solve. This classic question provides you the opportunity to show your skills in action, so make sure to highlight the objectivity and logic of your problem solving.

Show your logic when talking about yourself. When given the opportunity to talk about yourself, highlight how logic comes into play in your decision making. This could be in how you picked the job position, why you choose your career or education, or what it is about yourself that makes you a great candidate.

Why is it important to think logically?

It’s important to think logically because it allows you to analyze a situation and come up with a logical solution. It allows for you to reason through the important decisions and solve problems with a better understanding of what needs to be done. This is necessary for developing a strong career.

Why is logic important?

Logic is important because it helps develop critical thinking skills. Critical thinking skills are important because they help you analyze and evaluate a problem before you make a decision. It also helps you improve your problem-solving skills to allow you to make better decisions.

How do you improve your logical thinking skills?

When improving your logical thinking skills make sure you spend time on a creative hobby and practice questioning. Creative hobbies can help reduce stress levels, and lower stress leads to having an easier time focusing on tasks and making logical thinking. Creative hobbies can include things like drawing, painting, and writing.

Another way to improve your logical thinking is to start asking questions about things. Asking questions allows for you to discover new things and learn about new topics you may not have thought about before.

Logical thinking skills are valuable skills to have. You need to develop them so that you can become an asset to any organization that hires you. Be sure to include them in your resume and cover letter .

And if you make it to the interview, also ensure that you highlight these skills. You can do all this by highlighting the career accomplishments that required you to use logical thinking in the workplace.

It’s Your Yale – Consider Critical Thinking Skills to Articulate Your Work Quality

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Roger Raber has been a content writer at Zippia for over a year and has authored several hundred articles. Having retired after 28 years of teaching writing and research at both the high school and college levels, Roger enjoys providing career details that help inform people who are curious about a new job or career. Roger holds a BA in English from Cleveland State University and a MA from Marygrove college.

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What is logical thinking and how to strengthen it.

When we say that something is logical, what we actually mean is that it makes sense. Logical reasoning skills are the ability to focus on the presented task by following the chain of the thought process by relating one statement after another, until finding the most logical conclusion.

Although many won’t notice, all of us face challenges on a daily basis which we overcome thanks to our reasoning skills. While calculating the prices in the supermarket, just to check if we can get everything we need for a lower price, or while trying to fit all our obligations into a single day, our thinking machine spins its wheels to find the perfect solution.

However, if you find yourself lost at the register, well, you might need to work on logical thinking development.

Division of Labor in Our Brains – The Left Hemisphere Is More Involved in Logical Thinking

The brain is a complex structure [1] divided into two hemispheres – the right and left.

Although the districts interact with each other, the truth is that one side is always more dominant than the other. Regarding this division, every side has its own purpose and a specific thinking style. For example, the right side is in charge of emotions and creativity, whereas the left side brings control to the mix and provides logic when things seem confusing.

However, the right side of daydreaming can affect the process of logical thinking as well. According to researchers, [2] the logical reasoning performance is modulated by the emotional state. What is more interesting is that most children are ranked as being highly creative [3] before going to a logic-oriented school. Or at least it used to be, as the school system now offers some chance for creative outlets such as art and crafts.

The left side of the brain improves the understanding of math and science, as it processes the information from a part to a whole. Those sequences hidden in numbers, symbols, and letters are much clearer when arranged in logical order.

On the other hand, the right side looks at the entire picture, only so that it can break it into smaller parts. Likewise, the right side people love concrete things they can smell, feel or taste and have trouble verbally expressing.

The logical side of the left hemisphere includes:

Logical Thinking Is Not an Inborn Talent, But Something You Can Learn and Practice

Enhancing logical reasoning is simply learning to pay a closer attention to details. Therefore, there are a few easy techniques to help you overcome thinking obstacles and really focus.

Stop Viewing Things from Your Own Perspective Only

To advance logical thinking process, it is crucial to differentiate established facts from personal observations. Concentrating on the environment and your senses is just individual perception, which mustn’t be confused with logic.

For example, let’s say that two people got together to share a meal. To one person the dish smells repelling, while the other is enjoying their lunch. The first person didn’t like the smell, so they concluded that the meal is inedible, unhealthy and not properly prepared. This is not a logical way of coming to the correct conclusion.

First of all, person A didn’t have any supporting evidence of the food being unhealthy or poorly made. Consequently, conclusions drawn from this observation are inadequate.

In order to get to a logical conclusion, one must shut off their own skewed opinions, and focus on proven information like the ingredients used to prepare a dish, ways of cooking the food, and the equipment used to prepare it, so that they can form a clear statement. Apart from the observed facts, the conclusion must also be drawn from culinary knowledge and not based upon calculated guesses.

Think Before You Start Doing – Create a Strategy

Since logical thinking implies noticing all the details and putting them together one by one until the picture becomes clear as day, strategy plays a major role in the thinking process. Learning to think strategically will not only power the brain, but it can also help you deal with business obligations faster and more proficiently. And how do you develop such useful skill?

Start by questioning everything and trying to interpret repetitive patterns. Learn from mistakes so that you can anticipate what is ahead. Keep the mind constantly active and look for details and learn how they function individually and in the group before focusing on the bigger picture.

Dig into the Meaning of Words Carefully

As the logic is more verbal, the slight language variations make a big difference. Knowing the difference between statements will definitely tighten up the loose screws of logical thinking.

If you hear “necessary” in a statement, you immediately know there is a condition that needs to be fulfilled, unlike “sufficient” which denotes a minimal level of effort that will lead to a positive outcome. Every condition has a slight alteration in meaning, just as the word order in a sentence carries a certain meaning.

It is not the same if someone says: “if you do that, then you will get the reward” and “if you got the reward, then it was because I told you to do that”. It may not be detected at first, however, the variation still exists. In the first sentence there is a condition by which a person gets the reward, yet in the second it is inverse, meaning that it contradicts the first statement and its conclusion.

Enhance Your Logical Thinking at Leisure – Games and Mystery Books

Every day we escape into the digital world searching for a new form of entertainment. But why not use it for improving our logical reasoning? Math doesn’t have to be boring if used as a game.

There are plenty of mental challenges online or in a form of an app to boost our memory and our logical thinking. One can even benefit from Facebook Poker games. Playing card games makes you more focused and analytical, hence, it activates the left side of the brain.

Also, getting lost in a mystery book is not only for the right brainers. Actually, a good puzzle book can help you work on the strategical thinking process through solving all the different enigmas within. The same goes for a game of chess.

Even geniuses were not born all-knowing; they studied, explored, and worked on their logical thinking skills. So, use the simple methods listed above in your day-to-day life to improve not just your logical thinking, but also your overall productivity. After conquering the field of logical reasoning no one will ever be able to call you an unrealistic dreamer again.

Featured photo credit: Volkan Olmez via unsplash.com

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by Kaelyn Barron | 0 comments

You may not even realize it, but every day you make decisions and solve problems using your reasoning skills. For example, you might decide which brand of yogurt to buy at the supermarket, or which task to cross off your to-do list first.

For these and even bigger dilemmas, logical thinking can help you come to the best decisions, instead of relying solely on your emotions.

In this post, we’ll show you what exactly logical thinking is, with examples of how you can practice it at work and in other areas of your life.

What Is the Importance of Logical Thinking?

Like critical thinking , logical thinking is important because it can help you think through important decisions based on facts and reason, without letting emotions cloud your judgment.

It requires an ability to make observations, and then draw conclusions based on that input. When you think and act logically, you’ll be able to back up your strategies, actions, and decisions with concrete facts.

Logical thinking also involves thinking through the possible causes of a problem, feasible solutions, and the potential consequences of implementing those solutions.

Of course, not all decisions can be made based on logic alone, nor should you discount your emotions in every situation. In fact, reasoning requires emotional intelligence; but the goal is to be aware of your emotions, and not make rash decisions solely based on those feelings.

By learning to think more logically, you’ll be better able to solve problems, generate more creative ideas, and set ambitious but realistic goals.

How to Strengthen Your Logical Thinking Skills

Here are five ways you can practice using logical thinking skills.

1. Consider different perspectives.

A huge part of thinking logically is being able to put your personal feelings aside and consider an issue from different perspectives.

When you feel very strongly about something, you might assume that everyone else must feel the same way you do—but there’s a good chance you’re missing some important considerations, simply because you haven’t thought about the problem from a different point of view.

This is especially important if you’re part of a team, or if you regularly make decisions that impact others (like customers or employees in other departments).

This leads us to our next tip…

2. Ask questions.

In order to consider different perspectives, one of the best things you can do is ask questions and be curious.

Rather than just making your own assumptions or jumping to conclusions, question the things you typically accept as fact.

By asking why , how , and what if , you can discover things you never considered before and address problems more creatively, instead of relying on old strategies because “that’s the way we’ve always done it.”

You can practice this at work by spending time with someone from a different department and asking them questions about their current projects and processes.

For example, if you work in the marketing department but want to learn more about sales, talking to a colleague in sales can help you think more critically about how your roles are related and how you can improve your own systems for better results.

3. Practice evaluating evidence.

When you’re trying to make a logical decision, you should consider all the evidence—but not all evidence is equal.

Consider the different sources and types of evidence you’re looking at. Depending on the situation, you may need to weigh some pieces of evidence more heavily than others, so you shouldn’t automatically choose the option with the most “plusses.’

For example, you might be comparing two different cars. One is cheaper, slightly newer, and even painted your favorite color. The other costs more and is two years older, but it’s a hybrid. The first car has more under its “pros” column, but don’t forget, you have a long commute and really care about saving on gas.

After thinking about it carefully, you decide that for you, the one pro under the second car’s column outweighs the three pros for the other car.

Evaluating evidence also applies to sources of information . Are your sources trustworthy, and do you feel like they’re telling you everything you need to know to make a decision? If not, search for more information.

4. Try to anticipate possible outcomes.

Logical thinkers don’t just think about the short-term consequences of their choices. Instead, they think about the long-term impact not only for themselves, but also those around them.

The objective is not to reach the perfect decision, but to go into the decision as aware as you can be of the effects it can have today, next month, and possibly farther in the future.

You can get better at anticipating outcomes by taking the time to analyze the results of your decisions after you make them.

5. Challenge yourself with games or books.

Thinking logically doesn’t have to be boring! A game of cards or chess pushes you to focus and think analytically. There are also plenty of brain-training games that can help you build your logical thinking skills.

Another great brain exercise? Mystery novels ! Putting together the pieces of these exciting narratives helps you practice thinking logically. Even if you don’t guess correctly, it’s still a fun and entertaining workout.

Examples of Logical Thinking

Below are three examples of how you can use logical thinking to resolve conflicts, find solutions, and make decisions.

One example of logical thinking at work is the use of exit interviews when an employee leaves the company.

By getting the departing employee’s honest feedback, managers can improve their organizations, which can help reduce turnover in the future.

Instead of hastily disregarding the employee’s reasons for leaving or even responding defensively, leading team members can get valuable insights from someone else’s perspective about what works and what doesn’t within the company.

Over time, leaders may identify emerging patterns—another important part of logical thinking—and can adjust their systems accordingly.

When Making Decisions

When you need to make an important decision, relying on logic, rather than your emotions, can help you identify the right choice.

For example, let’s say you’re choosing between two homes to buy. It’s a very important decision, and one that can easily be swayed by emotion. To apply logical thinking to your decision-making, use the facts that are available to you to develop arguments, draw conclusions, and weigh pros and cons.

You can make a T-chart to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of each, and compare important factors like the price, size, location, and projected monthly payments for both.

This will help you make the best overall choice, because you’ll consider all the relevant information and potential consequences of each decision. (This is opposed to emotional decision-making, which might be jumping at the first option just because it’s five minutes closer to your best friend’s house.)

In Disagreements

Using the basic principles of logical thinking can also help you resolve interpersonal conflicts.

It’s in these types of disagreements that you’re most likely to act on your emotions, make rash decisions, or say something you’ll regret later.

But if you can slow down and try to see things from the other person’s perspective, you may find underlying issues that you never considered. You might discover that your disagreement isn’t personal at all, and actually due to a simple misunderstanding.

Make Logic Your Friend

Logical thinking can help you make better, more careful decisions in all areas of life, from work to your interpersonal relationships.

While logical thinking teaches you to avoid acting on just your emotions, what works for most of us in practice is probably more of a middle ground.

In many cases, you may want to also listen to your intuition and what your feelings tell you. The important thing is that you’re able to maintain a balance and think through the potential consequences of your decisions.

Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!

If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:

As a blog writer for TCK Publishing, Kaelyn loves crafting fun and helpful content for writers, readers, and creative minds alike. She has a degree in International Affairs with a minor in Italian Studies, but her true passion has always been writing. Working remotely allows her to do even more of the things she loves, like traveling, cooking, and spending time with her family.

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What is Logical thinking?

Logical thinking can also be defined as the act of analysing a situation and coming up with a sensible solution. It is similar to critical thinking. Logical thinking uses reasoning skills to objectively study any problem, which helps make a rational conclusion about how to proceed. For example, you are facing a problem in the office, to address that, you use the available facts, you are using logical reasoning skills.

In this write-up, we will explore tips on how you can improve your logical thinking skills and the reasons why logical thinking can help you be a stronger professional.

Now the question arises in our mind, why are logical thinking skills important?

Also Read – What is Empathy in Design Thinking?

Logical thinking skills play a very important and necessary role in developing your career because they can help you reason through important decisions, solve problems, generate creative ideas, and set goals. Whether you want to advance your career or have just entered the industry, you will encounter challenges daily that require logical reasoning skills. The stronger your logical thinking skills are, the more easily you will be able to come up with solutions and plans that can benefit you and your workplace.

There are many ways in which you can strengthen logical thinking in your daily work.

Methods that help you in developing your logical thinking skills are :

1. Spending time on creative hobbies

It has been observed that creative hobbies like drawing, painting, writing, or playing music can stimulate the brain and help promote logical thinking. Creative thinking, in a way, naturally develops problem-solving abilities that can help you become a better performer at your workplace.

Let’s talk about one more example, learning a new instrument requires deep thought and concentration. The logical thinking skills that you will gain from the process of learning a new instrument can help you approach your work more intently, developing your ability to solve problems with more flexibility and ease.

In addition to this, creative hobbies also help reduce stress. When your stress levels are manageable, you will have an easier time focusing and making logical decisions wherever required. There are many different ways in which you can handle stress, but developing a creative mind is especially productive and can help you bolster both personal and professional life.

2. Practice questioning

Another best way to strengthen your logical thinking skills is to question things that you typically accept as fact. When you regularly ask the question, it helps you view situations more completely and intricately, allowing you to approach problems at work more logically and creatively.

Asking more and more questions often leads to discoveries about topics you had not considered before, which may encourage you to explore further. This method can be used anywhere, especially at work. Let us take an example of a department at your workplace you are not familiar with. Create a list of questions where you need clarity or understanding. This will help you understand its purpose.

Let us take an example. If you work in the sales-marketing department and want to know more about search engine optimization skills , consider asking someone in that department for an overview to learn more about their current projects and processes. This will help you think more critically about the role you would be taking at work as it relates to that team.

3. Socialize with others

Socializing and building relationships with others help you broaden your perspective, giving you more opportunities to develop your logical thinking skills. When you get to know the point of view of other people, it helps you approach problems at work in a new and different way.

There are many ways in which you can invest time in building relationships. It can be from participating in an activity to simply eating lunch or meeting over coffee together regularly. It is truly said that the more logically you can handle problems at work, the more easily you will be able to advance in your career.

4. Learn a new skill

Learning a new skill can also help in sharpening logical skills.

If you take the opportunity to learn as often as possible, you apply the same level of thinking to your job, making you successful.

For example, suppose you decide to start learning a new coding language. This process will require careful thinking and planning. Practicing every day will help to put you in the mindset of thoughtfully approaching problems at work and will also help you develop a new skill that will help you advance your career.

5. Anticipating the outcome of your decisions

When you are working to strengthen your logical thinking skills, it is helpful for you to consider what impact your decisions might have in the future. The closer you pay attention to the results of your decisions and analyze them, the easier the process will become.

Whenever you come up with a solution to a problem at the workplace, try to think about what the outcome may be. Slowly and eventually, you will find it easier to think of your decisions’ immediate and long-term results. This is an important aspect of logical thinking.

Logical skills can be easily strengthened with daily practice. When you start applying these exercises regularly, and by learn more from professional courses you will observe yourself start to naturally approach everyday decisions at work with a more logical perspective.

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LOGICAL THINKING

the process of thinking within the boundaries and laws of logic.

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Improve Your Logical Thinking Skill

Before starting with the best approaches, you may want to check your abilities with the games below. They are suitable for you and your kids. Don’t forget it is important to be aware of yourself to boost your mental skills.

Logic Balls

Develop your reasoning , planning and visualization skills.

Colorful Blocks

Develop your reasoning , spatial perception and visual attention skills.

Pick Your Candy

Develop your visual attention and counting skills.

Have I Seen It or Not?

Develop your logical thinking , sustained attention and comparison skills.

Why Are Logical Thinking Skills Important?

Logical thinking is the ability to make a rational conclusion by analyzing a situation, and it helps the human mind to make a distinction between right and wrong.

Keep in mind that well-developed logical thinking skills also promote our skills such as analytical thinking , reasoning, math, and problem-solving .

It is important to understand what logical thinking meaning is and how it affects our daily lives. To have a better understanding, you can look at the positive effects below.

You are lucky because we’ve prepared eight easy-to-apply tips , as well as the best games, to enhance your and your children’s logical thinking skills.

We’ve also shared examples from our daily lives for helping your children to understand the logic behind logical thinking. You can use all of these when you want to train your brain or help your kids for this purpose.

How to Improve Logical Thinking?

Like almost every skill, logic can also be improved and developed through proper exercises and activities. Here are some of the best tips that will help you do just that!

1. Logic Exercises

Games are with no doubt the best way of teaching children something. And when it comes to mental development games, MentalUP is the best!

With these games, you can help promote your children’s: logical reasoning skills, planning skills, spatial perception skills, logical thinking skills, mathematical thinking skills, and much more!

Logical thinking exercises like this game are very helpful for our math and planning abilities.

Logic Cards

If you want to learn how to think logically, this game will support you by boosting your mind.

Tricky Faces

This game is the answer to the question of how to be more logical. Play daily and be stronger.

Numbers & Letters

When you need to know how to develop logical thinking, you can train your brain with this game.

2. Socializing With Others

Socializing, in other words building new relationships, will expand your perspective. This way, you can gain more and more logical thinking skills with the ability to approach situations and thoughts from different angles.

Encourage your children to make new friends at their school, neighborhood, or at the park. It will not only help enhance their logical thinking skills but it will also help them build healthy social skills.

3. Creative Hobbies

Although the left hemisphere of our brain is responsible for logical thinking, creative activities, which are mainly ruled by the right hemisphere of our brain, help promote logical thinking. Therefore, encourage your children to engage with creative activities such as playing imagination games , drawing, painting, writing, and playing music.

Well, how do these help with logical thinking?

For example, learning a new instrument requires deep thought and concentration. During this process, your children will gain the ability to solve more problems with flexibility and ease.

In addition, as these tasks require creativity, creative thinking naturally develops problem-solving abilities that can help your children become better at school.

Becoming a logical thinker requires improvement in different areas, such as brain dominance!

Do you know which brain dominance you or your children have? Feel free to take our free brain dominance test and reveal the secret! 🧠

You can also read our article to learn more about the right brain - left brain and the difference in between . There are study tips based on brain dominance results! 📚

4. Question Events

One of the best ways to enhance your logical thinking skills is to ask questions about things you typically accept as a fact. Making a habit of asking such questions helps you view situations more completely and allows you to approach situations more logically and creatively.

You can come up with simple games to apply this tip with your children. For example, start with a sentence that is a result of an obvious fact and as your children to complete it:

Parent : “ It is cold because… ” Child : “ … it is snowing/winter/raining. ”

Practicing this activity will also help your children build a sense of responsibility for their actions and behavior, as well as teach them how to think faster .

5. Read Mystery Books and Stories

Here is one stone two birds situation. You can advance your children’s reading skills and promote their logical thinking skills by simply engaging them with mystery.

There are plenty of mystery stories and books that your children will enjoy reading as they try to solve the enigmas within.

6. Learn/Discover a New Skill

This tip is quite close to the third tip above, but there is no such thing as too much learning. Creative or not, learning a new skill can help sharpen your logic skills.

The more you take the opportunity to learn something new, the more you will be able to think logically and strategically.

Encourage your children to learn something new! Depending on their age it can be; learning a new language, learning a new sport, or even learning a new game.

Not only will practicing every day help create a mindset of thoughtfully, and logically, approaching problems and situations, but it will also develop a new skill that your children can enjoy!

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7. Brain Teasers & Puzzles

Brain teasers and puzzle games like tangrams for kids are always fun activities. However, did you know that it helps improve logical thinking skills?

As children try to find the answer to the questions, they are forced to think strategically and logically. If you’re in search of the best brain teasers, check out our Pinterest board for 400+ free brain teasers!

8. Mindfulness

Extreme stress is one of the worst enemies of logical thinking. And, it may come as a shock but most children experience more stress than adults do 😞

When your children’s stress levels are manageable, they are more likely to have an easier time focusing and making logical decisions. And one of the best ways to manage stress is practicing mindfulness .

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Difference Between Logic and Reason

We hear you say “But what is the difference between reason and logic? Aren’t they the same thing?” To begin with, “logic” is a noun, and “reason” is both a noun and a verb.

You can “reason with a person” but you can’t logic with someone. In addition, every logic can be reasoned but not every reasoning can be based on logic.

That said, the primary difference between logic and reason is that reason can be subjective, whereas logic is actual science that follows clearly defined rules and tests for critical thinking .

Logic also requires tangible, visible, or audible proof of a sound thought process by reasoning.

For example, you can debate or “reason” with someone that the water is cold, however, the fact that water’s freezing temperature is 0℃ is not up for debate as there is a logic behind it.

Logic Examples

Here are some everyday logic examples that will help you and your children understand the concept of logic and logical thinking even further.

1. Informal Logic

Informal logic is what we usually use for daily reasoning processes. This is the reasoning and arguments you make in your personal exchanges with others and they are more subjective rather than based on facts.

Inductive logic examples can also be examined under this category. Inductive reasoning is made by using specific information and to make a broad generalization that is considered probable. As the reasoning is based on repeated experiences, the outputs are not always accurate.

2. Formal Logic

Formal logic requires deductive reasoning and the premises must be based on facts. The premises should lead to a formal conclusion.

3. Symbolic Logic

Symbolic logic , as the name applies, focuses on how symbols relate to each other. It assigns symbols to verbal reasoning in order to be able to check the veracity of the statements through a mathematical process. You typically see this type of logic used in calculus.

4. Mathematical Logic

It goes without saying that all math problems are based on logic with each having a single outcome based on facts. As mathematical logic applies formal logic to math, mathematical logic and symbolic logic are often used interchangeably.

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1 What is Logic?

Matthew Knachel

There’s an ancient view, still widely held, that what makes human beings special—what distinguishes us from the “beasts of the field”—is that we are rational. What does rationality consist in? That’s a vexed question, but one possible response goes roughly like this: we manifest our rationality by engaging in activities that involve reasoning —making claims and backing them up with reasons, acting in accord with reasons and beliefs, drawing inferences from available evidence, and so on.

This reasoning activity can be done well and it can be done badly; it can be done correctly or incorrectly. Logic is the discipline that aims to distinguish good reasoning from bad.

Good reasoning is not necessarily effective reasoning. In fact, as we shall see in a subsequent chapter on logical fallacies, bad reasoning is pervasive and often extremely effective—in the sense that people are often persuaded by it. In logic, the standard of goodness is not effectiveness in the sense of persuasiveness, but rather correctness according to logical rules.

For example, consider Hitler. He persuaded an entire nation to go along with a variety of proposals that were not only false but downright evil. You won’t be surprised to hear that if you examine it critically, his reasoning does not pass logical muster. Hitler’s arguments were effective, but not logically correct. Moreover, his persuasive techniques go beyond reasoning in the sense of backing up claims with reasons. Hitler relied on threats, emotional manipulation, unsupported assertions, etc. There are many rhetorical tricks one can use to persuade.

In logic, we study the rules and techniques that allow us to distinguish good, correct reasoning from bad, incorrect reasoning.

Since there are a variety of different types of reasoning and methods with which to evaluate each of these types, plus various diverging views on what constitutes correct reasoning, there are many approaches to the logical enterprise. We talk of logic, but also of logics . A logic is just a set of rules and techniques for distinguishing good reasoning from bad. A logic must formulate precise standards for evaluating reasoning and develop methods for applying those standards to particular instances.

Basic Notions

Reasoning involves claims or statements—making them and backing them up with reasons, drawing out their consequences. Propositions are the things we claim, state, assert.

Propositions are the kinds of things that can be true or false. They are expressed by declarative sentences . We use such sentences to make all sorts of assertions, from routine matters of fact (“the Earth revolves around the Sun”), to grand metaphysical theses (“reality is an unchanging, featureless, unified Absolute”), to claims about morality (“it is wrong to eat meat”).

It is important to distinguish sentences in the declarative mood, which express propositions, from sentences in other moods, which do not. Interrogative sentences, for example, ask questions (“Is it raining?”), and imperative sentences issue commands (“Don’t drink kerosene.”). It makes no sense to ask whether these kinds of sentences express truths or falsehoods, so they do not express propositions.

We also distinguish propositions from the sentences that express them, because a single proposition can be expressed by different sentences. “It’s raining” and “es regnet” both express the proposition that it’s raining; one sentence does it in English, the other in German. Also, “John loves Mary” and “Mary is loved by John” both express the same proposition.

The fundamental unit of reasoning is the argument. In logic, by “argument” we don’t mean a disagreement, a shouting match; rather, we define the term precisely:

Argument = a set of propositions, one of which, the conclusion, is (supposed to be) supported by the others, the premises.

If we’re reasoning by making claims and backing them up with reasons, then the claim that’s being backed up is the conclusion of an argument; the reasons given to support it are the argument’s premises. If we’re reasoning by drawing an inference from a set of statements, then the inference we draw is the conclusion of an argument, and the statements from which it’s drawn are the premises.

We include the parenthetical hedge—“supposed to be”—in the definition to make room for bad arguments. A bad argument, very roughly speaking, is one where the premises fail to support the conclusion; a good argument’s premises actually do support the conclusion.

Analysis of Arguments

The following passage expresses an argument:

So does this passage:

Again, the ultimate purpose of logic is to evaluate arguments—to distinguish the good from the bad. To do so requires distinctions, definitions, principles, and techniques that will be outlined in subsequent chapters. For now, we will focus on identifying and reconstructing arguments.

The first task is to explicate arguments—to state explicitly their premises and conclusions. A perspicuous way to do this is simply to list declarative sentences expressing the relevant propositions, with a line separating the premises from the conclusion, thus:

This is an explication of the first argumentative passage above. To identify the conclusion of an argument, it is helpful to ask oneself, “What is this person trying to convince me to believe by saying these things? What is the ultimate point of this passage?” The answer is pretty clear in this case. Another clue as to what’s going on in the passage is provided by the word “because” in the third sentence. Along with other words, like “since” and “for,” it indicates the presence of a premise. We can call such words premise markers . The symbol “/∴” can be read as shorthand for “therefore.” Along with expressions like “consequently,” “thus,” “it follows that” and “which implies that,” “therefore” is an indicator that the argument’s conclusion is about to follow. We call such locutions conclusion markers . Such a marker is not present in the first argument, but we do see one in the second, which may be explicated thus:

Several points of comparison to our first explication are worthy of note here. First, as mentioned, we were alerted of the conclusion by the word “therefore.” Second, this passage required much more paraphrase than the first. The second sentence is interrogative, not declarative, and so it does not express a proposition. Since arguments are, by definition, collections of propositions, we must restrict ourselves to declarative sentences when explicating them. Since the answer to the second sentence’s rhetorical question is clearly “yes,” we paraphrase as shown. The third sentence expresses two propositions, so in our explication we separate them; each one is a premise.

So sometimes, when we explicate an argument, we have to take what’s present in the argumentative passage and change it slightly, so that all of the sentences we write down express the propositions present in the argument. This is paraphrasing. At other times, we have to do even more. For example, we may have to introduce propositions which are not explicitly mentioned within the argumentative passage, but are undoubtedly used within the argument’s reasoning.

There’s a Greek word for argumentative passages that leave certain propositions unstated: enthymemes . Here’s an example:

There’s an implicit premise lurking in the background here—something that hasn’t been said, but which needs to be true for the argument to go through. We need a claim that connects the premise to the conclusion—that bridges the gap between them. Something like this: An all-loving God would not allow innocent people to suffer. Or maybe: widespread suffering is incompatible with the idea of an all-loving deity. The premise points to suffering, while the conclusion is about God; these propositions connect those two claims. A complete explication of the argumentative passage would make a proposition like this explicit:

This is the mark of the kinds of tacit premises we want to uncover: if they’re false, they undermine the argument. Often, premises like this are unstated for a reason: they’re controversial claims on their own, requiring evidence to support them; so the arguer leaves them out, preferring not to get bogged down. [2] When we draw them out, however, we can force a more robust dialectical exchange, focusing the argument on the heart of the matter. In this case, a discussion about the compatibility of God’s goodness and evil in the world would be in order. There’s a lot to be said on that topic. Philosophers and theologians have developed elaborate arguments over the centuries to defend the idea that God’s goodness and human suffering are in fact compatible. [3]

So far, our analysis of arguments has not been particularly deep. We have noted the importance of identifying the conclusion and clearly stating the premises, but we have not looked into the ways in which sets of premises can support their conclusions. We have merely noted that, collectively, premises provide support for conclusions. We have not looked at how they do so, what kinds of relationships they have with one another. This requires deeper analysis.

Often, different premises will support a conclusion—or another premise—individually, without help from any others. Consider this simple argument:

Propositions 1 and 2 support the conclusion, proposition 3—and they do so independently. Each gives us a reason for believing that the war was unjust, and each stands as a reason even if we were to suppose that the other were not true; this is the mark of independent premises .

It can be helpful, especially when arguments are more complex, to draw diagrams that depict the relationships among premises and conclusion. We could depict the argument above as follows:

Diagram showing premise 1 and 2 each having arrows pointing to the conclusion, 3. This represents that premises 1 and 2 indepdently support conclusion 3.

In such a diagram, the circled numbers represent the propositions and the arrows represent the relationship of support from one proposition to another. Since propositions 1 and 2 each support 3 independently, they get their own arrows.

Other relationships among premises are possible. Sometimes, premises provide support for conclusions only indirectly, by giving us a reason to believe some other premise, which is intermediate between the two claims. Consider the following argument:

In this example, proposition 1 provides support for proposition 2 (the word “hence” is a clue), while proposition 2 directly supports the conclusion in 3. We would depict the relationships among these propositions thus:

Sometimes premises must work together to provide support for another claim, not because one of them provides reason for believing the other, but because neither provides the support needed on its own; we call such propositions joint premises . Consider the following:

In this argument, neither premise 1 nor premise 2 supports the conclusion on its own; rather, the second premise, as it were, provides a key that unlocks the conclusion from the conditional premise 1. We can indicate such interdependence diagrammatically with brackets, thus:

Diagram with the numbers 1 and 2 together having an arrow pointing to the number 3. This represents that premises 1 and 2 jointly support the conclusion, 3.

Diagramming arguments in this way can be helpful both in understanding how they work and informing any attempt to critically engage with them. One can see clearly in the first argument that any considerations put forward contrary to one of the independent premises will not completely undermine support for the conclusion, as there is still another premise providing it with some degree of support. In the second argument, though, reasons telling against the second premise would cut off support for the conclusion at its root; and anything contrary to the first premise will leave the second in need of support. And in the third argument, considerations contrary to either of the joint premises will undermine support for the conclusion. Especially when arguments are more complex, such visual aids can help us recognize all of the inferences contained within the argument.

Perhaps it will be useful to conclude by considering a slightly more complex argument. Let’s consider the nature of numbers:

The conclusion of this argument is the last proposition, that numbers are abstract objects. Notice that the first premise gives us a choice between this claim and an alternative—that they are concrete. The second premise denies that alternative, and so premises 1 and 2 are working together to support the conclusion:

Diagram with the numbers 1 and 2 together having an arrow pointing to the number 5. This represents that premises 1 and 2 jointly support the conclusion, 5.

Now we need to make room in our diagram for propositions 3 and 4. They are there to give us reasons for believing that numbers are not concrete objects. First, by asserting that numbers aren’t located in space like concrete objects are, and second by asserting that numbers don’t interact with other objects, like concrete objects do. These are separate, independent reasons for believing they aren’t concrete, so we end up with this diagram:

Diagram with the numbers 1 and 2 together having an arrow pointing to the number 5, with the numbers 3 and 4 each having an arrow pointing to 2. This represents that premises 1 and 2 jointly support the conclusion, 5, and that premises 3 and 4 independently support premise 2.

Logic and Philosophy

At the heart of the logical enterprise is a philosophical question: What makes a good argument? That is, what is it for a set of claims to provide support for some other claim? Or maybe: When are we justified in drawing inferences? To answer these questions, logicians have developed a wide variety of logical systems, covering different types of arguments, and applying different principles and techniques. Many of the tools developed in logic can be applied beyond the confines of philosophy. The mathematician proving a theorem, the computer scientist programming a computer, the linguist modeling the structure of language—all these are using logical methods. Because logic has such wide application, and because of the formal/mathematical sophistication of many logical systems, it occupies a unique place in the philosophical curriculum. A class in logic is typically unlike other philosophy classes in that very little time is spent directly engaging with and attempting to answer the “big questions”; rather, one very quickly gets down to the business of learning logical formalisms. The questions logic is trying to answer are important philosophical questions, but the techniques developed to answer them are worthy of study on their own.

This does not mean, however, that we should think of logic and philosophy as merely tangentially related; on the contrary, they are deeply intertwined. For all the formal bells and whistles featured in the latest high-end logical system, at bottom it is part of an effort to answer the fundamental question of what follows from what. Moreover, logic is useful to the practicing philosopher in at least three other ways.

Philosophers attempt to answer deep, vexing questions—about the nature of reality, what constitutes a good life, how to create a just society, and so on. They give their answers to these questions, and they back those answers up with reasons. Then other philosophers consider their arguments and reply with elaborations and criticisms—arguments of their own. Philosophy is conducted and makes progress by way of exchanging arguments. Since they are the primary tool of their trade, philosophers better know a little something about what makes for good arguments! Logic, therefore, is essential to the practice of philosophy.

But logic is not merely a tool for evaluating philosophical arguments; it has altered the course of the ongoing philosophical conversation. As logicians developed formal systems to model the structure of an ever-wider range of discursive practices, philosophers have been able to apply their insights directly to traditional philosophical problems and recognize previously hidden avenues of inquiry. Since the turn of the 20th century especially, the proliferation of novel approaches in logic has sparked a revolution in the practice of philosophy. It is not too much of an exaggeration to say that much of the history of philosophy in the 20th century constituted an ongoing attempt to grapple with new developments in logic, and the philosophical focus on language that they seemed to demand. No philosophical topic—from metaphysics to ethics to epistemology and beyond—was untouched by this revolution.

Finally, logic itself is the source of fascinating philosophical questions. The basic question at its heart—what is it for a claim to follow from others?—ramifies out in myriad directions, providing fertile ground for philosophical speculation. There is logic, and then there is philosophy of logic . Logic is said to be “formal,” for example. What does that mean? It’s a surprisingly difficult question to answer. [5] Our simplest logical formulations of conditional sentences (those involving “if”), lead to apparent paradoxes. [6] How should those be resolved? Should our formalisms be altered to better capture the natural-language meanings of conditionals? What is the proper relationship between logical systems and natural languages, anyway?

Traditionally, most logicians have accepted that logic should be “bivalent”: every proposition is either true or false. But natural languages contain vague terms whose boundaries of applicability are not always clear. For example, “bald”: for certain subjects, we might be inclined to say that they’re well on their way to full-on baldness, but not quite there yet; on the other hand, we would be reluctant to say that they’re not-bald. There are in-between cases. For such cases, we might want to say, for example, that the proposition that Fredo is bald is neither true nor false. Some logicians have developed logics that are not bivalent, to deal with this sort of linguistic phenomenon. Some add a third truth-value: “neither” or “undetermined,” for instance. Others introduce infinite degrees of truth (this is called “fuzzy logic”). These logics deviate from traditional approaches. Are they therefore wrong in some sense? Or are they right, and the traditionalists wrong? Or are we even asking a sensible question when we ask whether a particular logical system is right or wrong? Can we be so-called logical “pluralists,” accepting a variety of incompatible logics, depending, for example, on whether they’re useful?

These sorts of questions are beyond the scope of this introductory text, of course. They’re included to give you a sense of just how far one can take the study of logic. The task for now, though, is to begin that study.

First, explicate the following arguments, paraphrasing as necessary and only including tacit premises when explicitly instructed to do so. Next, diagram the arguments.

The unambiguated meaning of declarative sentences.

Sentences which communicate that something is, or is not, the case. For example, “Bob won the 50m freestyle.” Declarative sentences can be contrasted with those that pose questions, called interrogative sentences , and those which deliver commands, known as imperative sentences . (Declarative sentences are also known as indicative sentences)

Words that generally indicate what follows is a premise, e.g. “given that,” “as,” “since.”

Words that generally indicate that what follows is a conclusion, e.g. “therefore,” “thus,” “consequently.”

Arguments which leave certain premises unstated.

Premises which aim to provide sufficient support on their own for the truth of the conclusion.

Premises which attempt to directly support not the conclusion of an argument, but another premise.

Premises which only provide support for the truth of the conclusion when combined.

What is Logic? by Matthew Knachel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Logical thinking.

noun thinking that is coherent and logical synonyms: abstract thought , reasoning see more see less types: show 31 types... hide 31 types... analysis , analytic thinking the abstract separation of a whole into its constituent parts in order to study the parts and their relations argument , argumentation , line , line of reasoning , logical argument a course of reasoning aimed at demonstrating a truth or falsehood; the methodical process of logical reasoning conjecture reasoning that involves the formation of conclusions from incomplete evidence deduction , deductive reasoning , synthesis reasoning from the general to the particular (or from cause to effect) illation , inference the reasoning involved in drawing a conclusion or making a logical judgment on the basis of circumstantial evidence and prior conclusions rather than on the basis of direct observation anticipation , prediction , prevision the act of predicting (as by reasoning about the future) ratiocination logical and methodical reasoning reasoning backward , regress the reasoning involved when you assume the conclusion is true and reason backward to the evidence synthesis , synthetic thinking the combination of ideas into a complex whole line of inquiry , line of questioning an ordering of questions so as to develop a particular argument projection a prediction made by extrapolating from past observations prognostication , prophecy , vaticination knowledge of the future (usually said to be obtained from a divine source) adumbration , foreshadowing , prefiguration the act of providing vague advance indications; representing beforehand syllogism deductive reasoning in which a conclusion is derived from two premises theorisation , theorization the production or use of theories supposal , supposition the cognitive process of supposing analogy an inference that if things agree in some respects they probably agree in others corollary (logic) an inference that follows directly from the proof of another proposition derivation a line of reasoning that shows how a conclusion follows logically from accepted propositions deduction , entailment , implication , inference something that is inferred (deduced or entailed or implied) extrapolation an inference about the future (or about some hypothetical situation) based on known facts and observations presumption (law) an inference of the truth of a fact from other facts proved or admitted or judicially noticed breakdown , partitioning an analysis into mutually exclusive categories cost-benefit analysis an analysis of the cost effectiveness of different alternatives in order to see whether the benefits outweigh the costs dissection a minute and critical analysis elimination , reasoning by elimination analysis of a problem into alternative possibilities followed by the systematic rejection of unacceptable alternatives reductionism the analysis of complex things into simpler constituents systems analysis analysis of all aspects of a project along with ways to collect information about the operation of its parts trend analysis analysis of changes over time casuistry argumentation that is specious or excessively subtle and intended to be misleading policy a line of argument rationalizing the course of action of a government type of: cerebration , intellection , mentation , thinking , thought , thought process the process of using your mind to consider something carefully

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Definition of logic

Did you know.

How are logistics and logic related?

Logistics follows the same pattern of other plural nouns—such as ballistics , linguistics , statistics , or physics —that represent fields of study and take either a singular or plural verb.

Logic , used strictly in the singular, is a science that deals with the formal principles of reason. If a visitor walks in the house with a wet umbrella, it is logical for one to assume that it is raining outside. Logistics , which involves such concerns as the delivery of personnel or supplies in an efficient manner, can often employ logic, such as by reasoning out the path least likely to interrupt the flow of a delivery:

As with many other areas of the economy, the digital revolution is having a profound effect on delivery logistics . The combination of mobile computing, analytics, and cloud services, all of which are fueled by the Internet of Things (IoT), is changing how delivery and fulfillment companies are conducting their operations. —Andrew Meola, Business Insider , 14 Oct. 2016

Both logic and logistics ultimately derive from the Greek logos , meaning "reason." But while logic derives directly from Greek, logistics took a longer route, first passing into French as logistique , meaning "art of calculating," and then into English from there.

Example Sentences

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'logic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback .

Word History

Middle English logik , from Anglo-French, from Latin logica , from Greek logikē , from feminine of logikos of reason, from logos reason — more at legend

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing logic

Dictionary Entries Near logic

Cite this entry.

“Logic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/logic. Accessed 9 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of logic, more from merriam-webster on logic.

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Abstract Thinking: What It Is, Why We Need It, and When to Rein It In

Today we’re obsessed with data. Experts in every industry are finding ingenious ways to measure and depict millions of data points every day.

But data is virtually worthless unless someone can look at the numbers, detect patterns, analyze what those patterns mean, and develop narratives to explain them to everybody else.

The difference between collecting data and understanding its meaning is the difference between concrete and abstract thinking.

Abstract thinking is the ability to understand concepts that are real, such as freedom or vulnerability, but which are not directly tied to concrete physical objects and experiences.

Abstract thinking is the ability to absorb information from our senses and make connections to the wider world.

A great example of abstract thinking at work is humor. Comedians are experts in abstract thinking. They observe the world around them. They detect incongruities, absurdities, and outrages. And they build jokes out of the unexpected connections.

How you use abstract thinking Abstract thinking is considered a higher-order reasoning skill. You use it when you: create things speak figuratively solve problems understand concepts analyze situations form theories put things in perspective

Abstract vs. concrete thinking

Abstract thought is usually defined alongside its opposite: concrete thinking. Concrete thinking is connected closely to objects and experiences that can be directly observed.

An example of a task that involves concrete thinking is breaking down a project into specific, chronological steps. A related abstract thinking task is understanding the reasons why the project is important.

Most of us need to use a blend of concrete and abstract thinking to function well in day-to-day life.

How do we develop the ability to think abstractly?

Abstract thinking skills develop as we grow and mature. Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget explained the way children’s thinking abilities change as they get older.

Piaget said that from birth until around the age of 2, babies and toddlers generally think concretely. They observe and explore the world around them using their five senses and motor skills.

See the Cheerio on the floor, pinch it with your fingertips, and put it in your mouth. Decide you like it. Repeat the process .

From ages 2 to 7, children develop the ability to think symbolically, which may be the foundation for abstract thinking. They learn that symbols like letters, pictures, and sounds can represent actual objects in the real world.

From age 7 until around 11, kids develop logical reasoning, but their thinking remains largely concrete — tied to what they directly observe.

Sometime around age 12 and continuing into adulthood, most people build on their concrete reasoning and expand into abstract thinking.

This stage includes the growing ability to put themselves in other people’s shoes (to use an abstract-thinking metaphor), learning how to empathize. The exercise of empathy is considered an abstract thinking ability.

Abstract reasoning in school

Many of the tasks students perform in school are tied to abstract thinking. Math skills are often abstract. They rely on the ability to conceptualize numbers and operations without always putting your hands on physical objects.

The study of language often involves analyzing and expressing abstract ideas, making generalizations about human nature and conflict, and learning to write figurative comparisons like metaphors and similes.

History, social studies, philosophy, and politics all require the ability to think generally about social problems and use ethical judgment. Science requires students to propose, test, and revise hypotheses and theories.

Apart from the academic aspects of school, navigating the complex social situations presented during a typical school day also involves abstract thinking.

The benefits of abstract thinking

People who are able to think abstractly are often good at:

How to improve abstract thinking

If you want to improve your abstract thinking skills, here are some things you can try:

easy ways to improve your abstract thinking Improvise. If there’s an improvisational theater group in your area, consider taking a workshop that allows you to explore this open-ended form of performance play. Solve puzzles. 3D, visual, and word puzzles will train you to think of alternatives beyond those that occur to you immediately. Build 3D models. Research has shown that people in science, technology, engineering, and math professions enhance their abstract thinking abilities by doing arts and crafts projects. Explore optical illusions. Some researchers use art and photographs with optical illusions to train students to see things in multiple ways, which is a hallmark of abstract reasoning. Play with figurative language. The ability to write similes, metaphors, analogies, and even pieces of personification can stimulate abstract thinking. Think of something concrete and relate it to something abstract: “On the day he was sentenced, rain fell continuously, as if Justice were weeping.” Or “The psychologist made a sexist remark, saying women’s minds were like bowls of spaghetti.”

Conditions that may limit abstract reasoning

Some neurological conditions may interfere with your ability to think abstractly.

When abstract thinking isn’t helpful

Sometimes the ability to imagine, predict, and make connections interferes with healthy functioning.

Take the cognitive distortion known as catastrophizing, for example. If you habitually imagine worse case scenarios, you may increase your anxiety level or worsen depression symptoms.

Overgeneralization is another example. If you experience a setback as proof that you’re a failure, your ability to generalize is reaching an inaccurate and counterproductive conclusion. Research has shown that this kind of abstraction is common with anxiety and depression.

If you have one of these conditions, you may find that abstract thinking is occasionally problematic:

The good news is that researchers have found that you can practice concrete thinking skills and use them to improve depression symptoms and even help you with decision-making during periods of depression.

The takeaway

Abstract thinking is the ability to consider concepts beyond what we observe physically. Recognizing patterns, analyzing ideas, synthesizing information, solving problems, and creating things all involve abstract thinking.

The ability to think abstractly develops as we mature, and we can intentionally improve our abstract thinking ability by improvising and playing with puzzles, models, and language.

Striking a healthy balance between abstract and concrete thinking is important for maintaining good mental health and daily functioning.

Last medically reviewed on September 5, 2019

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What Is Logical Thinking in the Workplace?

Woman thinking while looking at sheet of paper

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Logical thinking isn’t just for solving riddles; employers are actively looking for candidates with this valuable skill. Logical thinkers approach work problems critically and provide actionable solutions to help the company succeed. In this guide, we cover:

What Is Logical Thinking?

Logical thinking examples, logical thinking skills, how to show logical thinking skills on a job application, 4 ways to improve your logical thinking, why is logical thinking important in 2022.

The logical thinking definition is analyzing a situation or problem using reason and coming up with potential solutions. Logical thinkers gather all the information they can, assess the facts, and then methodically decide the best way to move forward.

Logical thinking is an essential tool in the workplace to help analyze problems, brainstorm ideas, and find answers. Employers want employees who can come up with the right solutions that are financially reasonable, probable, and actionable.

Logical thinking is an umbrella term for different ways to reach a factual, reasonable conclusion. Examples of types of logical thinking include:

Inferencing happens when we assume something new based on facts we already know. For example:

When you infer, you’re drawing the line between two factual dots.

Inductive Reasoning

Inductive reasoning is a type of reasoning that moves from specific to general. You start with a specific observation and pattern recognition, then come to a general conclusion.

Not all conclusions are correct in this type of logical thinking because specific circumstances don’t always apply to a general rule. However, you’ll end with a general conclusion that you can then further research. For example:

In this example, the general conclusion isn’t necessarily true. However, it’s a theory you can now test with further research and surveying.

Deductive Reasoning

Contrary to deductive reasoning, this type of logical thinking moves from the general to the specific. You start with a general premise and then apply it to a specific premise. Take these two examples:

Like conclusions from inductive reasoning, not every conclusion from deductive reasoning is necessarily sound. You’ll need a true general premise, a true specific premise, and a valid, logical argument between the two premises to come to a sound conclusion.

In example one, Marissa may work four-day workweeks, and Julia may work five-day workweeks, but saying Marissa is happier only because of her work schedule is not a sound argument because the conclusion doesn’t logically follow. On the other hand, example two is a sound argument because both premises are true, and there is clear, valid logic between the premises and the conclusion.

Logical thinking requires multiple skills you’ll need to exercise at various points when solving problems. These skills include:

Problem-solving

Critical thinking

The goal of logical thinking is to problem solve. Problem-solving has three parts: identifying why the problem’s happening, brainstorming solutions, and deciding which solution to move forward with. This skill requires both analysis and creativity, as a strong problem-solver analyzes the facts and finds creative solutions.

Critical Thinking

People often consider critical thinking synonymous with logical thinking, yet critical thinking comes into play most at the beginning of the problem-solving process. Critical thinkers analyze problems to get to the bottom of the facts and evidence. They are objective, free of bias, and focused on accuracy.

When we think of the word “logical,” we might not think of creativity — yet it’s creativity that allows logical thinkers to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions. Logical thinking isn’t just about following the facts but also figuring out how to connect them and unearth them in expected ways.

Reasoning is the ability to assess things logically and rationally. Reasoning typically comes in the later stages of the logical thinking process, when you’re deciding between multiple ways to move forward. Then, you can use reasoning to compare solutions for their benefits and disadvantages.

On a Resume

You don’t have to list “logical thinking” on your resume to prove you’re a logical thinker; instead, you can show your logical thinking skills through hobbies or extracurricular activities you include on your resume.

“If a candidate mentions their hobbies that they play chess, board games, or strategic video games, it always makes me think they are logical thinkers,” Maciej Kubiak, head of people at PhotoAiD, says. “These interests require analysis and deductive reasoning to find a viable solution.”

Learn the other top skills to include on a resume .

In an Interview

While your resume can show you’re a logical person, describing your work methodology in an interview is the best way to show off this skill. Be specific and prescriptive when describing what steps you took to overcome a work problem or what steps you would take in a potential scenario.

Logical Thinking Interview Questions

Employers looking for this skill in an interview often won’t use the term “logical thinking.” Instead, they’ll often ask you about the steps you took or would take to solve a problem. Examples of these interview questions include:

It’s okay if you’re initially stumped when the interviewer asks you to show your logical thinking skills; take your time and think through your answer before saying anything.

“Do not say the very first thought that springs to mind,” David Bitton, co-founder and CMO at DoorLoop, recommends. “While you don’t want to take too long, pausing and thinking for a few moments can help. If you are unable to provide a suitable and confident answer, do not be hesitant to ask clarifying questions.”

When you do answer, it’s okay — and even encouraged — to give multiple solutions.

Yet it’s vital to strike the right balance between being thorough and succinct, especially when explaining your thought process.

“Be able to describe how you solved a problem with steps, although be mindful of time,” software engineer Adeena Mignogna says. “When I’m interviewing someone, there’s nothing worse then them going on and on. Learn to concisely explain and answer.”

If you can respond concisely, you’ll also prove to the hiring manager that you can communicate complex ideas and information to others — which is another valuable soft skill .

While logical thinking is a soft skill, it’s easy to practice and improve tangibly, like most hard skills you may learn in class. In addition, you don’t need to be faced with a workplace problem to work on your logical thinking; there are ways to build this skill in your personal life.

1. Build Creative Habits

“Spend more time on creative hobbies such as playing music, solving riddles, and reading,” Christian Velitchkov, co-founder of Twiz, says. “These are some hobbies that can stimulate your mind and promote logical thinking in a better manner. Creative thinking naturally comes from practicing more problem-solving hobbies. The more you challenge your minds to answer and solve different problems at work, the better you get at your logical thinking skills over time.”

Word games, painting, drawing, and crafting are other creative habits to try.

2. Learn a New Skill

Learning a new skill requires patience, time, effort, and focus — all things you need when trying to solve a new problem. However, you don’t need to learn how to code or practice software engineering to improve work-related logical thinking skills. Learning how to crochet or play a new instrument, for example, will help you flex logical thinking as you develop your new skill.

3. Practice Breaking It Down

If you’re a big picture thinker, it can be hard to look at all the details before diving in and trying to offer solutions. However, a crucial part of logical thinking is breaking down individual facts and connecting them to a reasonable conclusion. Start by breaking down a task you must do in your everyday life. For example, if your task is “get ready for work,” break this down into tasks like “brush my teeth,” “take a shower,” and “get dressed.” This practice will help develop a habit of zooming into smaller components of bigger issues.

4. Observe Others

We can be limited in how we approach problems; for example, we may try to approach a problem the way we’ve always done because it generally works out for us. Yet we might miss other paths and solutions that we’d never even consider.

Be aware of how others tackle problems and what strategies they use, whether in a work meeting, class lecture, or group project. Get curious about why they’re making specific choices and moving in a particular direction.

According to Monster’s The Future of Work: 2022 Global Report, problem-solving — a critical aspect of logical thinking — is one of the top three skills employers are looking for. Yet this same skill is also where employers see the most significant skill gap between what they need from a candidate and the candidate’s skill level.

So get ahead in the job search by continually improving your logical thinking skills and showing them off with concise but methodical answers to interview questions. You got this — and if you need more help leveling up your professional skills, try out Two Sigma’s Professional Skills Development Program .

Image Credit: Karolina Grabowska / Pexels

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COMMENTS

The Importance of Logical Thinking in the Workplace
Logical thinkers observe and analyze phenomena, reactions, and feedback and then draw conclusions based on that input. 1 They can justify their strategies, actions, and decisions based on the facts they gather. Logical thinkers don't go with their gut or develop a strategy because it "feels right."
What Is a Logical Thinker? (With Definition and Examples)
What is a logical thinker? A logical thinker observes situations, reactions, feedback, or tasks and makes rational conclusions. Similar to critical thinking, logical thinking involves objectively studying a situation and using reasoning to develop a viable solution or generate ideas.
Logical Thinking: Definition & Process
Logical thinking is a process of clearly moving from one related thought to another. Examine the definition and process of logical thinking and explore its two types of statements:...
Logical Thinking
The ability of an individual to think in a disciplined manner or base his thoughts on facts and evidence is known as his logical thinking skills. Very simply, logical thinking skills mean incorporating logic into one's thinking process whenever analyzing a problem on order to come up with a solution.
The Most Important Logical Thinking Skills (With Examples)
Logical thinking is problem solving based on reasoning that follows a strictly structured progression of analysis. Critical thinking, research, creativity, mathematics, reading, active listening, and organization are all important logical thinking skills in the workplace.
What Is Logical Thinking
Logical thinking is your ability to think in a disciplined manner or base significant thoughts on evidence and facts. The process involves incorporating logic into an individual's thinking abilities when analyzing a problem to devise a solution. Logical thinking may require Soft Skills Courses because it involves progressive analysis systems.
What Is Logical Thinking and How to Strengthen It
When we say that something is logical, what we actually mean is that it makes sense. Logical reasoning skills are the ability to focus on the presented task by following the chain of the thought process by relating one statement after another, until finding the most logical conclusion.
How to Practice Logical Thinking: Tips and Examples
Logical thinking also involves thinking through the possible causes of a problem, feasible solutions, and the potential consequences of implementing those solutions. Of course, not all decisions can be made based on logic alone, nor should you discount your emotions in every situation.
What is Logical thinking?
Logical thinking can also be defined as the act of analysing a situation and coming up with a sensible solution. It is similar to critical thinking. Logical thinking uses reasoning skills to objectively study any problem, which helps make a rational conclusion about how to proceed.
What is LOGICAL THINKING? definition of LOGICAL THINKING (Psychology
LOGICAL THINKING. the process of thinking within the boundaries and laws of logic. LOGICAL THINKING: "Logical thinking, entails that an argument is founded within the laws of logic."
What Is Logical Thinking? 8 Tips to Improve Logic
Logical thinking is the ability to make a rational conclusion by analyzing a situation, and it helps the human mind to make a distinction between right and wrong. Keep in mind that well-developed logical thinking skills also promote our skills such as analytical thinking, reasoning, math, and problem-solving.
What is Logic?
The fundamental unit of reasoning is the argument. In logic, by "argument" we don't mean a disagreement, a shouting match; rather, we define the term precisely: Argument = a set of propositions, one of which, the conclusion, is (supposed to be) supported by the others, the premises.
Logical reasoning
Definition. Logical reasoning is a form of thinking that is concerned with arriving at a conclusion in a rigorous manner. This happens in the form of inferences by transforming the information present in a set of premises to reach a conclusion. It can be defined as "selecting and interpreting information from a given context, making connections, and verifying and drawing conclusions based on ...
Logical thinking
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Noun 1. logical thinking - thinking that is coherent and logical abstract thought, reasoning cerebration, intellection, mentation, thinking, thought process, thought - the process of using your mind to consider something carefully; "thinking always made him frown"; "she paused for thought"
Logic Definition & Meaning
logic: [noun] a science that deals with the principles and criteria of validity of inference and demonstration : the science of the formal principles of reasoning. a branch or variety of logic. the formal principles of a branch of knowledge. a particular mode of reasoning viewed as valid or faulty. relevance, propriety. interrelation or ...
Logical thinking definition and meaning
Logical thinking definition: In a logical argument or method of reasoning , each step must be true if the step before... | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples
Understanding Abstract Thinking: Development, Benefits & More
The difference between collecting data and understanding its meaning is the difference between concrete and abstract thinking. ... Abstract thinking is considered a higher-order reasoning skill ...
What Is Logical Thinking in the Workplace?
The logical thinking definition is analyzing a situation or problem using reason and coming up with potential solutions. Logical thinkers gather all the information they can, assess the facts, and then methodically decide the best way to move forward.
Logical Thinking at Work
Logical thinking is a skill that involves using reasoning in a way that allows an individual to come to a viable solution. This skill allows someone to accurately analyze a situation, make any connections between data, and use the information gathered to solve the problem.