Need for Logic Instruction in Schools

Need for Logic Instruction in Schools

This paper traces the development of teaching logic and critical thinking in Western education since classical times, with particular emphasis on developments in the United States during the twentieth century. It suggests that teaching logic, critical thinking and planning skills are imperative for future generations to function well in a global communicy and summarizes a variety of programs and strategies that have been incorporated into Western educational practices in the areas of language arts, science, math and social studies. These programs critiqued from the perspective of developmental psychology. Strengths and weaknesses are addressed. And how formal and informal logic have (or, more frequently, have not) been appropriately integrated into the U.S. public school curriculum is discussed, with recommendations for future consideration.