Abstract

Soft Logic is a fascinating study that links scientific and mathematical reasoning to literature and the arts. In this work, Joseph Grünfeld argues that justification by resemblance is more common in science than is generally recognized. That is, symbolic and metaphorical modes of thinking, which are largely analogical, often play a significant role in the interpretation of formal systems. Noting that twentieth century non-Aristotelian forms of reasoning have greatly expanded our understanding of what constitutes logic, Grünfeld explores a wide range of relevant topics, including reasonableness, metaphor, deconstruction, postmodernism, aesthetics, art, and philosophy. In the process, he identifies the postmodernist implications of modern logic and develops how they may be applied to both science and art. Scholars of philosophy, aesthetics, and art will find this comprehensive and insightful work thought provoking