Science and Logical Thinking: Understanding Logical Fallacies in Children

Abstract

Is it possible to assume the child's understanding of logical fallacies within the discussion on the cognitive abilities of children and their ability to distinguish, reason, and logically follow questions related to generalization, abstraction and concluding by analogy? In the paper I analyze this dilemma mainly on the basis of personal experience with writing the children's picture book entitled "Is this a fallacy?" (2015), which represents an attempt to introduce a discussion on the most significant informal logical errors of thinking for children aged eight years or more. In this regard, the basic research point is focused on reflection on the importance and role of informal logical thinking within philosophy for children in the context of their cognitive development.