The Reasoning Center

The purpose of the The Reasoning Center is to further the development of reasoning skills in college students, recognizing that habits of thought, both desirable and undesirable, begin at a much earlier age. The Center will provide the forum for colloquia, seminars, and publications for scholars in in the areas of philosophy, mathematics, computer science, linguistics, cognitive psychology and other areas that study the way we reason, the way we ought to reason, and the best methods for the developing reasoning skills that are necessary in their disciplines.

The directors of the Reasoning Center are Robert Redmon, Ph.D., Department of Philosophy, Virginia Commonwealth University and Nelson Pole, Ph.D., Department of Philosophy, Cleveland State University. Professor Pole has developed extensive software that is used in logic and critical thinking courses in a number of universities. Professor Redmon has taught these types of courses for a number of years, utilizing Professor Poles' software, both in large and small classes on campus, as well as over the Internet. It has been their experiences in teaching and software development, as well as the experiences of their colleagues, particularly in mathematics and computer science, that has convinced them of the need for such a Center. It appears that many of the problems that students experience, particularly in mathematics, computer science, logic, and in writing, are due not to specific psychological disorders (e.g., "dyscalculus": the inability to do mathematics), but to the inability to reason. Similarly, many students are unsuccessful in computer science because they cannot master the connectives of logic.

There are several organizations devoted to the academic study of logic, philosophy of science, cognitive psychology as related to reasoning, etc. as well as organizations concerned with the general teaching and improvement of "critical thinking" in areas such as English composition and philosophy. However, until now there appeared to be no center which is focused on an inter-disciplinary study, and improvement, of the reasoning processes involved in the college level courses which assume, and utlilize, the formal reasoning techniques of logic. Our hope is that The Reasoning Center will supply the focus for such studies.

The Reasoning Center has an Advisory Board to aid in its work. It consists of individuals in philosophy, linquistics, psychology and mathematics who are internationally recognized for their work in the study of reasoning.

The Reasoning Center recently held a conference on "Improving the Reasoning of College Students".  For a copy of the program, which includes abstracts and other information which may be useful to those in various disciplines, click here.

 

The Reasoning Center is the product of the The Reasoning Center, Inc., a nonprofit organization incorporated in Virginia.