Logics as cognitive tools

Logical theories are usually seen as true or false in relation to the phenomenon they aim to describe, namely, validity. An alternative view suggests that the laws governing validity are ``legislated-true,'' making logical theories conventional. In this chapter, I propose an intermediate standpoint in which logics exhibit a blend of descriptive and conventional aspects, balanced to fulfill their primary purpose, which is not seen as theoretical, but practical: assisting us in generating and identifying valid inferences. From this perspective, logics are cognitive tools, human creations designed primarily to facilitate the performance of cognitive operations. This viewpoint aligns logic more closely with technology than science and supports a pluralistic approach: the diversity of alternative technical solutions for issues related to the creation and recognition of valid inferences allows for the coexistence of multiple logics.