Lewis Carroll, Symbolic Logic, Part 1, Book 1, Chapter 1, Introductory

by Corry Shores
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Lewis Carroll

Symbolic Logic

Part I: Elementary

Book I: Things and their Attributes

Chapter I: Introductory

We find ourselves in the universe. And in the universe, we see not just our own selves, but also the city or town we live-in. At the park we see roses. There we read old English books like this one. Hence

The Universe contains 'Things.'

For example, "I," "London," "roses."

We find that roses are red, London is large, and Lewis Carroll's book is old. Thus,

Things have 'Attributes.'

For example, "large," "red," "old."

We might notice:

• that the rose not only has the Attribute 'red,' but it also has the additional Attribute of being fragrant,
  
• that although Carroll's book is old, it is as well playful, or
  
• that because London is so large, it is expensive too.
  

Also we discover

• that not just roses have the Attribute red; for we find that same Attribute 'red' also in the setting sun
  
• that 'playful' can describe children as well as Carroll's book, or
  
• that not only are some books old, but also London is a another Thing that is old. So,
  

One Thing may have many Attributes; and one Attribute may belong to many Things.

Thus the Thing 'rose' may have such attributes as 'red,' 'scented,' 'full-blown,' etc. And the Attribute 'red' may belong to the Things 'rose,' 'brick,' 'ribbon,' and so forth.

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Images from the text [click on image for an enlargement]:

From:

Carroll, Lewis. Symbolic Logic. London: MacMillan and Co., 1869.

Available online at:

http://www.archive.org/details/symboliclogic00carr