Logic is rapidly coming into favor as a major subject in institutions devoted to educational theory. Some of the reasons for this change of attitude are herewith subjoined:
(1) _Logic should stimulate the thought powers._ This is the age of the survival of the thinker. The fact that the man who thinks _best_ is the man who thinks _much_ and _carefully_ will be accepted by those who believe that practice makes perfect. “One needs only to observe the average commuter to conclude that a large percent. of our business men read too much and think too little.” “Much readee and no thinkee” was the reply of a Chinaman when asked his opinion of the doings of the average American. “We as a people are newspaper mad, reading for entertainment, seldom for mental improvement.”
(2) _Logic aims to secure correct thought._ Are not many of the sins and most of the failures in this world due to incorrect thinking?
(3) _Logic should train to clear thinking._ It would be difficult to estimate the loss of energy to the brain worker because he has not the power to think clearly. Maximum efficiency is impossible with a befogged brain. How discouraging it is to the student to attempt to get from the paragraph the thought of the author, who in trying to be profound succeeds in being profoundly abstruse. There is a probable need for broad, deep thoughts, but these when placed in a text book should be sharpened to a point.
(4) _Logic should aid one to estimate aright the statements and arguments of others._ This is of especial value to the teacher who is constrained to teach largely from text books. Because it is found in a book is not proof positive that it is true. Why should we assume that the book is infallible when we know that the man behind the book is fallible?
(5) _Logic insists on definite, systematic procedure._ To be logical is to be businesslike. A study of logic would, no doubt, benefit our churches and parliamentary orders as well as our schools.
(6) _Logic demands lucid, pointed, accurate expression._ How we would increase our working efficiency could we but express our thoughts in an attractive and interesting manner. To listen to the speeches of some of our great and good men who are concerned in directing the “ship of state” is sufficient argument that the American schools need more logic.