The Logic of Picking Nits: Logic Time and Space Series

Author: Li Yanhua
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: Basic disciplines include mathematics, logic, astronomy and astrophysics, geographical sciences and space sciences, physics, chemistry, and life sciences. — UNESCO
Logic is an independent field of study, and everyone should learn a little about it. — Politician Mao Zedong
Logic is essential for life, cognition, and philosophy. — Logician Jin Yuelin
To express our thoughts correctly, it is necessary to follow logic. — Linguist Lü Shuxiang and Zhu Dexi
If a person's thinking lacks logic, it is easy to become confused. Without the completeness and consistency of logical development, a system cannot be formed. Even if a system exists, it is a bad system. — Cultural scholar Wang Yuanhua
Logical thinking accompanies humanity and permeates all aspects of social life, everywhere and at all times. — Chief Editor of "Logic Space-Time Series" Liu Peiyu
Peking University Press recently launched the "Logic Space-Time Series." The series is curated with the purpose of "promoting rationality, adhering to logic, and fostering correct thinking," emphasizing the popularization and application of logical knowledge. Its target readers include the general public (mass reading) and college students (teaching reference materials). The series plans to release 14 titles, with 7 already published: Fun with Logic, Logic and Wisdom (New Edition), Logic in Classical Poetry, Jokes, Humor, and Logic, The Logic of Precise Language, Click Thinking, and Game Thinking—Logic for Winning Decisions. The authors of the series are influential scholars in the field of logic, all dedicated to popularizing logic for many years.
The content of the books selects examples from daily life, newspapers, magazines, classical poetry, social life, jokes, and other sources to illustrate logical knowledge or logical errors, combining knowledge with fun, allowing readers to grasp logical concepts through enjoyable reading. The Logic of Precise Language is a predecessor to the book I edited, Analysis of Logical Cases. As a teaching material for the China Institute of Logic and Language Correspondence University, it was first published by Nankai University Press in 1984 and revised in 1986. At the time, the contributors included Wang Fang, Tian Hongdi, Le Yoeou, Sun Yu, Zhang Zegao, Wang Fuyu, Jin Tong, Zheng Gonglun, and Ouyang Zhongshi, among others. Sun Yu and Jin Tong have since passed away. Since its publication, the book has not only become an important reference for correspondence students to improve their logical analysis skills but has also been widely cited in other logic textbooks, exerting a certain influence in popularizing logic.
Today, Peking University Press has planned the "Logic Space-Time Series," and Chief Editor Liu Peiyu believes that Analysis of Logical Cases still holds positive significance in popularizing logic today, as similar books are rare. He intended to include it in the series and hoped I would make some revisions based on the original content. The book primarily covers common types of logical errors in language expression, with most examples drawn from newspapers, books, or daily communication. For this release, the text has been thoroughly reviewed and revised, and the examples have been adjusted and expanded. It is now renamed The Logic of Precise Language, aiming to better highlight its distinctive features.