A logic course for all ages, but designed for use as young as 7th Grade, Traditional Logic is an in-depth study of the classical syllogism. Along with a basic understanding of the Christian theory of knowledge, the text presents the four kinds of logical statements, the four ways propositions can be opposed, the three ways in which they can be equivalent, and the seven rules for the validity of syllogisms.

     This comprehensive but easy to use course includes both text and key and can be used as either a one-semester or one-year course. Non-consumable.

"Traditional Logic, Book I by Martin Cothran is the most helpful logic course out there today."
~ Christine Miller, Classical Christian Homeschooling

• An in-depth study of the syllogism, taught in the traditional three-part method
• Designed specifically for the teacher with no logic background
• Each chapter, in approx. 5 pages of text, explains challenging concepts in clear concise language
• Brief but comprehensive explanations of each lesson are followed by well-structured daily exercises
• For high school students, mature 7th and 8th graders, and adults
• A systematic course in formal logic, not a sampling of logic topics
• Find out how the nature of anything can be categorized using the "Porphyrian Tree"
• Learn the 4 logical statements, the 4 ways statements can be opposite, the 3 ways they can be equivalent, and the 7 rules for validity

Sample Chapter 8	Table of Contents
	Tour of Features

Looking for a fun memory aid for Traditional Logic? Try the sylogism submarine. (mp3)

Additional Resources
Consider the Handbook of Christian Apologetics and Socrates Meets Jesus by Peter Kreeft as additional resources for Traditional Logic. The Handbook provides logical answers to modern skeptical arguments about Christianity. Socrates Meets Jesus explores how Socrates would interrogate modern thinkers about religious truths. Both of these titles give your logic students the chance to apply their logic lessons real modern arguments.

Handbook of Christian Apologetics $19.99
Add to Cart

Socrates Meets Jesus $11.99
Add to Cart

• Is Traditional Logic (TL) I a one-semester or one-year course?
  • TL I is used as a one-year course by many homeschoolers and schools. However, if you are using it in a classroom 5 days per week with 9th Grade or higher students, you may complete the book in only one semester.
• TL is designed for what ages?
  • TL can be used as young as 7th Grade, but is typically taught in 8th Grade or higher.
• Is TL a prerequisite for Classical Rhetoric? Is Latin a prerequisite for TL?
  • TL is not required for Classical Rhetoric, but it is the normal course of study to take logic before rhetoric.
  • Latin is not required for TL, but TL does have bonus review questions for Latina Christiana.

• See the Logic Sequence (requires Adobe acrobat reader)
• Thinking Logically About Logic
  by Martin Cothran
  Forget Mr. Spock; he isn't half as logical as you will be after reading this article.  What is the definition of logic?  What are the main branches of the subject? How is it best studied?  Discover the basics of the second leg of the classical trivium. 
• Latin, Logic, and Christian Theology
  by Martin Cothran
  What if there was a way to teach all three of these at one time to young high school students?  There is.
• Logic is Not Math
  by Martin Cothran
  Classical educators have always known that the trivium is about language. Grammar teaches the structure of language; logic teaches right reasoning with language; and rhetoric teaches the adornment of language with power and beauty for persuasion.

"Traditional Logic is a wonderful course! ...Traditional Logic, Book I by Martin Cothran is the most helpful logic course out there today." "The subjects covered have some overlap with Introductory Logic by Douglas Wilson. I believe Traditional Logic, Book I is a more basic course and explains things that Introductory Logic leaves out or assumes you know, or explains poorly. Introductory Logic covers some topics not touched on in Traditional Logic. Where the two overlap, I believe Traditional Logic to do a superior job in presenting the material."

- Christine Miller, CCH Classical Christian Homeschooling (ClassicalHomeschooling.org)  read full review here

"This is the best exposition of Aristotelian logic I have yet seen aimed at homeschoolers. Easier to follow than Gordon Clark's logic text, more comprehensive (though less mathematical) than Canon Press' Introductory Logic, and easy on the eyes with its wide margins and visual diagrams, this course deserves a place in many homeschools."

- Mary Pride, Big Book of Home Learning

"After grammar, I recommend learning traditional, Aristotelian logic. Right now, the best course out there to learn this is Martin Cothran's Traditional Logic (in two texts), from Memoria Press."
- Lene Jaqua, Classical Writing

With about five pages of teaching material per lesson, the author has broken each concept into bite-size chunks that are meaty without being overwhelming. Each chapter is well organized with an introduction, section headings, and a conclusion summarizing the lesson--which serves as a great place for the student to refer to when needing a quick review. One of the most helpful aspects of this text is the provision of wide margins, where the student will find important points from each page restated. This aids greatly in the understanding of the concepts being taught. Although such an in-depth study as the one presented in Traditional Logic could easily become dry and tedious, the author appeals to young people with interesting examples and a personable writing style... In doing this review, I did quite a bit of reading about logic programs available to homeschoolers. (I narrowed my research to those that teach formal logic, rather than informal or modern logic.) As I looked through some of the other resources available, Traditional Logic stood out from the rest with its clear, orderly presentation of the topic and the important student exercises that cement and clarify understanding. As a reviewer, I get to look at lots of curricula--some are unfamiliar to me, but they do cover subjects that I have taught or been exposed to in my own educational background. With no experience regarding the study of logic, the idea of reviewing this course was intimidating! Due mostly to Mr. Cothran's excellent treatment of the subject and the step-by-step process by which students (including myself) are led, I found myself beginning to be comfortable with formal logic and even brave enough to consider using this course with my own children.

Making the grade: A
- Cindy Prechtel, Editor, Homeschool Reviews for You. read full review here.

"I taught a co-op using Martin Cothran's Traditional Logic I, and it worked great. It can be done very easily as self-taught. It tends to be repetitive in its exercises (Saxon-ish), but the kids all learned it without any problems. Then my son did Book II on his own. Book II is much more challenging than Book I, but he had no problems. It is a very clear book."
- M.A.

"I am currently using Latina Christiana II with three of my children and finishing up Traditional Logic II in a very small 'class' setting. I have been very impressed with the quality of these materials and how easy they have made it to teach the trivium tools.... Having used almost every other logic curriculum available to homeschoolers, I now fervently recommend TL to CCE parents."

-T.M., New Mexico (teaching 7 children, congratulations)

"I'll put in a plug for Traditional Logic. My daughter and I are going through Book I together and it is going very well! The book has daily exercises which are short. The material in each chapter is clearly presented. I am very happy with it."

- B., NY

"My 13-year-old loved [Traditional Logic I] this year (we plan on buying the next year's TL II soon). He thought it was very interesting and pretty much worked on his own. We had some really interesting discussions during it and he has been able to relate things learned to other courses."

- M., Vegsource.com

"The book by Martin Cothran follows a systematic approach for in-depth study of logic. From seventh grade through adult, this conversational text is well-written and designed for the teacher or parent with no logic background. Count me in!"

- Judy McAdoo, Homeschooling Today

"Recommendation: Introduction to Formal Logic addresses a subject unfamiliar to many in a straightforward, understandable way. The wide margins and visually appealing format keep the reader from becoming overwhelmed, and the exercises reduce intimidation by providing plenty of reinforcement. An understanding of basic formal logic should be within reach of all students and their parents with the use of this program."

- Martha R. HomeschoolChristian.com

"A really terrific text.  The material is handled very clearly and in digestible chunks.  I am using the text in a Sunday School setting and am having good results."

- Rev. K.S., New York, NY

"This book is an excellent learning tool for any logic class. I am one of the few who have been through this book being taught by Martin Cothran himself. His ideas and methods of teaching in this book are easy to follow and comprehend, and his approach to teaching logic is unique and refreshing. "

- J.W., Lexington, KY

"I teach at our high school enrichment classes, and I use Traditional Logic by Cothran (memoriapress.com). I love his style. I like the way it is formatted *for* homeschoolers and not traditional institutional classes. The text is broken into manageable *daily* parts. It tends to be repetitious, but all of my students have done well with it. The first book is definitely a one-semester class. The second book takes longer, if done well. It did not require any video or extra material. I think I pulled a college logic book out, but basically everything is contained in the student's book. I think any student could teach themselves using it alone."

- M.A., homeschool teacher

"I teach an eighth grade logic class using Martin Cothran's Traditional Logic series, which I prefer to Mr. Wilson's text. I find that it is, in the end, clear and easier to use."
- R. Durham, NC

"Traditional Logic from Memoria Press was a big hit with my daughter. It lays a great foundation for Classical Rhetoric for the Modern Student."
- S., VegSource.com

"HOW TO THINK
Memoria Press’ renowned Latin program, Latina Christiana, is now joined by their new course, Traditional Logic. Author Martin Cothran gives a straightforward presentation of traditional principles of logic, such as would have been taught in Catholic educational institutions from the early Middle Ages until about the 1960s. Students learn the mental steps involved in logical thinking and are taught to identify the common errors in reasoning which lead to faulty conclusions. The program is geared for high schoolers, but an interested middle school student could probably follow it. Because of the density of the material, this is probably a once or twice a week subject, leaving ample time for the information to sink in. It might also be a fun subject for a dad to teach the older kids (or even a group of teenagers in the local support group) on Saturdays."

- Reviewed by Lesley Payne, Resource Reviews

"Traditional Logic is a recommended resource by the National Christian Forensics and Communication Association."
- http://www.ncfca.org/Pages/Resources/bookmaterials.html

"This book has been prepared with homeschoolers in mind, although it could readily be used in a private school setting. The material is presented in easily understood increments with lots of practice and exercises to reinforce what the student is learning. The answer key is very helpful for the parent/teacher as it includes the answers to all exercises. A highly recommended resource!"

- Tree of Life http://www.treeoflifeathome.com/logic.htm

"Just to let you know, my husband loves teaching Latin and logic with your curriculum.  He never studied them himself until teaching our children and really enjoys it."
 - D.A., NC

• p.76, Diagram 8-7 should say "Blind Things" instead of "Carpenters."
  Download a correction page
• Looking for Figure 2-2 in old copies of Traditional Logic? See the corrected Ch. 2 here.