Analyzing Complex Organizational Arguments with Logical Model Building

Gábor Péli ()
Additional contact information
Gábor Péli: Utrecht University

A chapter in Complexity in Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Technology Research, 2016, pp 139-159 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract This chapter demonstrates the application of a qualitative formal method, logical formalization, to organization and management theory. Organizational arguments are usually phrased out in some natural language in the first place. After separating the premises (facts, definitions) of a natural language argument from its conclusions (predictions), this preprocessed text is translated into a logical language. Then, experimentation can begin if the logical formulae standing for the verbal premises imply the putative conclusions as formal theorems. If not, what kind of modifications can make these outcomes follow? What other theorems are implied from the same argument core? A substantial advantage of using symbolic logic over many branches of applied mathematics is that logical models can quite closely map the intended meaning of assertive sentences, while the deduction of conclusions can proceed with the rigor of mathematical proofs. The examples highlight how different logical languages, different dialects, can be used to the idiosyncrasies of the subject. The proof and the translation process from natural language statements to logical models are supported by user-friendly theorem-prover softwares. The appliers of the method need not be logic experts; what they need are analytical skills, sharp eyes at formula evaluation, and some stamina. The promise of using symbolic logic is combining the flexibility of qualitative reasoning with exactness in drawing conclusions from complex arguments. The chapter is to show how and in which extent logical formalization can fulfill this promise.

Keywords: Deductive reasoning; Logical model; Organization science (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

There are no downloads for this item, see the EconPapers FAQ for hints about obtaining it.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:fgfchp:978-3-319-27108-8_7

Ordering information: This item can be ordered from
http://www.springer.com/9783319271088

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-27108-8_7

Access Statistics for this chapter

More chapters in FGF Studies in Small Business and Entrepreneurship from Springer
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sonal Shukla () and Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing ().