LEGAL REASONING AND LOGIC

UG/PG: UG

Number of Credits: 2

Level:4

Objective: Reasoning and logic are the foundations of legal profession. Reasoning is a general
term for the process of arriving at an answer to a choice, whereas logic is one of those
processes. Ability to reason correctly with refined skills to use it, is a pre-condition for effective
argumentation and lawyering. The course is designed to impart advance knowledge of
reasoning and logic and to impress upon the students its significance to legal profession.

S.No Topics Hours

1 Introduction 05
1.1 Legal Argumentation
1.1. Legal Reasoning And Legal Logic
1.2. Legal Reasoning And Legal Norms
1.3. Objectives of Applying Legal Reasoning & Logic
1.4. Reasoning, Logic And Scientific Knowledge
1.4.1. Scientific Knowledge and scientific Methodology
1.4.2. Sources of Scientific Knowledge
1.5. Reasoning, Idealism and Pragmatism

2 2. Legal Argumentation & Interpretation of the Law 5

2.1. Concept, Development and Need of Legal Argumentation
2.1.1. Argument & Propositions
2.2. Constituents of Study of Argumentation
2.2.1. Philosophical Estate
2.2.2. Theoretical Estate
2.2.3. Analytical Estate
2.2.4. Empirical Estate
2.2.5. Practical Estate

3 3. Kinds of reasons 10
3.1. Decisive Reasons
3.2. Contributive Reasons
3.3. Abstract Reasons
3.4. Rules of Legal Reasoning
3.4.1. Rules of Interpretation
3.4.2. Rules of Inference
3.4.3. Rules of Collision
3.4.4. Rule to Determine Factual Circumstances
 3.4.5. Rules of Procedure.

4 4. Indian Legal Thoughts 05

4.1. Tarkashastra
4.1.1. Praman (Process of Internalising)
4.1.2. Pratyaksha (Perceptual)
4.1.3. Anuman (Inference)
4.1.4. Prakaran (Context)
4.1.5. Panch Avayav Anuman
4.2. Rules of Interpretations by Vedanta under Upanishad
Purvamimamsa
5 5. Logic 05
5.1. Reason Based- Logic
5.2. Logic, Reasoning And Justice
5.3. Fallacy

5.3.1. Formal & Other Forms Of Fallacies

Relevance of the Fallacies to the Legal Argumentation
6 Tutorials, Library work and assignments 05
7 Total 30

Suggested Readings:
 Bodas & Athaley, Tarkasamgraha of Annam Bhatta (English Translation), Bhandarkar Oriental
Research Institute, Pune.
 Copi & Cohen, Introduction to Logic, 14 Edition, 2010, Published by Macmillan.
 Douglas Walton, Christopher Reed, Fabrizio Macagno, Argumentation Schemes, 2008, Cambridge
University Press.
 Dr. V.N. Jha, Language Grammar & Linguistics in Indian Traditions, Centre for the Study of
Civilizations, New Delhi.
 Dr. V.N. Jha, Tarkasamgraha of Annam Bhatta (English Translation), Chinmaya International
Foundation, Ernakulam, Kerala.
 Eveline T. Feteris, Fundamentals of Legal Argumentation: A Survey of Theories on the Justification of
Judicial Decisions, 2010, Springer, The Netherlands.
 Frans H. Van Eemeren & Rob Grootendorst, A systematic Theory of Argumentation: The Pragma-
dialectical Approach, 2004, Published by Cambridge University Press, UK.
 Jaap Hage, Studies in Legal Logic, 2005, Published by Springer, Netherlands.
 Jean E. Hampton, The Authority of Reason, 2004, published by Cambridge University Press.
 Jerzy Stelmach & Bartosz Brozek, Methods of Legal Reasoning, 2006, Published by Springer, The
Netherlands.
 Julius Stone, Legal System and Lawyers’ Reasoning, 1964, Published by Universal Law Publishing
Company.
 K.T. Pandurangi, Purvamimamsa, Centre for the Study of Civilizations, New Delhi.