How to Think Logically

Important: GDPR Email Preferences

As you may already know, the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will be coming into effect on 25th May 2018. We take your privacy seriously and we are working hard to ensure we comply with the new data protection laws. You can find out more about how we're doing this in our privacy policy on our website.

We want to make sure you continue to receive the latest newsletters, blogs, special offers and more.

As someone who has opted-in to receive our emails in the past, we’d like to give you this opportunity to confirm what you wish to receive:

Just so you know, if you don’t let us know what kinds of emails you want to receive from us, we’ll stop emailing you on the 24th May 2018 - you'll be missing out!

You are of course free to change your mind at any time – just follow the link at the bottom of any of our emails.

How to think logically

Let us look at the question of logical thinking and contrast it to every other type.

Logic is a system of thought (and communication).

Logical thought (and communication) are different from all other types.

Logic is not guessing, nor wishing, or hoping.

Logic is a special kind of thought process, which is distinguished by the following characteristics:

1. Logic is based upon facts, not feelings.
2. Highly structured.
3. Systematic, inductive and deductive.
4. Self-consistent, (Coherent / non-contradictory).
5. All key concepts have clear definitions.
6. Logic is the method of reason.

"Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear". Thomas Jefferson.

Structure your message like a tree

Knowledge is hierarchical in nature, or at least it should be.

Nature loves heirarchical branching structures.

This shape suggests that there are two fundamental ways of logical thinking: Analysis and synthesis.

• Analysis (is the act of mentally deconstructing a problem).
• Synthesis (is the act of mentally reconstructing solutions).

In any situation, we need to understand:

1. What is the fundamental issue? (The trunk of the tree)
2. What is NOT our fundamental issue? (This fact pertains to a different tree)
3. What are the main subset elements? (Main branches)
4. What are the minor subset elements? (Derivative branches)
5. What are the details? (The leaves on the tree)

Common errors to not thinking logically

It is a common error not to think logically, for example:

• Failing to sort things into categories, sets and subsets.
• To think all on one plane, as if all the pieces were equally important.
• To act emotionally, without reference to logic.
• To be unstructured.
• To be disorganised.
• To be self-contradictory, (to say one thing and do another).
• To misidentify the fundamental issue.
• To focus on a trivial issue and therefore to miss the main point.
• To fixate on one thing to the exclusion of other parts of the system
• To concentrate on solving individual details, whilst ignoring their major causes. (Not recognising that the underlying cause of the leaves is the roots of the tree).

What happens to people who habitually fail to think logically?

What are the painful long-term consequences suffered by anyone who is habitually illogical, unsystematic and disorganised?

What happens to their own work performance?

What is their effect on the others around them?

Problem Solving Training

Problem solving relies mainly on two forms of logic.

• Analysis: Deconstructing the logical structure of the problem
• Synthesis: Constructing Logical solutions.

If you would like to develop your problem-solving skills please take a look at our in-house Problem Solving Training Course.

Blogs by Email

Do you want to receive an email whenever we post a new blog? The blogs contain article 5-10 minutes long - ideal for reading during your coffee break!

Your Comments

Further Reading in Leadership and Management

• The Top Ten Leadership Skills
  People who lack leadership qualities are inspired by those who do. Check out the top ten leadership skills and discover where you are strongest and where your weaknesses are.
  Read Article >
• How to Succeed and Fail
  To be successful you need to have a purpose, a plan and then take action; listen to feedback and make changes as necessary. Do you follow this success formula?
  Read Article >
• Five Common Management Mistakes
  Many managers make mistakes in managing people. Perhaps they are poor at goal setting, or cannot delegate, or maybe lack sensitivity in dealing with others. Here are five common management mistakes which can be corrected with the right training.
  Read Article >
• Management training course
  Management Training Course Management training is important because managing tasks and managing people, is itself, a difficult task. Good management skills are difficult to develop. If you can find a person who has developed all the major management skills to a high degree, then you have found a person who is...
  Read Article >
• What knowledge and skills are required by a manager?
  What knowledge and skills are required by a team manager? Have you been recently promoted to the role of team leader or team manager? If yes, then it is probably because you know the job to a greater level, than the others. You know the customer needs, and you know your...
  Read Article >