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LOGIC ISAAC WATTS (Great Awakening Writings (1725-1760)) by NO AUTHOR
Hardcover
Published January 1, 1739
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About the author
Isaac Watts
1,201 books49 followersIsaac Watts was an English hymnwriter, theologian and logician. A prolific and popular hymnwriter, he was recognised as the "Father of English Hymnody", credited with some 650 hymns. Many of his hymns remain in use today, and have been translated into many languages.
Watts was the author of a text book on logic which was particularly popular; its full title was, Logic, or The Right Use of Reason in the Enquiry After Truth With a Variety of Rules to Guard Against Error in the Affairs of Religion and Human Life, as well as in the Sciences. This was first published in 1724, and its popularity ensured that it went through twenty editions. Isaac Watts' Logic became the standard text on logic at Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard and Yale; being used at Oxford University for well over 100 years.
[wikipedia]
Watts was the author of a text book on logic which was particularly popular; its full title was, Logic, or The Right Use of Reason in the Enquiry After Truth With a Variety of Rules to Guard Against Error in the Affairs of Religion and Human Life, as well as in the Sciences. This was first published in 1724, and its popularity ensured that it went through twenty editions. Isaac Watts' Logic became the standard text on logic at Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard and Yale; being used at Oxford University for well over 100 years.
[wikipedia]
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
January 14, 2026
In many respects, Watts is the orthodox Locke.
Watts' Logic is clearly influenced by Locke's Essay. In fact, the outline of both works are nearly identical. But it is not how they are alike that matters most - it is how they are different.
1) Unlike Locke, Watts has a doctrine of the fall and acknowledges the limits of reason imposed by original sin.
2) And unlike Locke, Watts has some room for innate ideas, which seemed to be derived from Scripture (Rom. 2).
3) And this seems to suggest that Watts is still operating within the credo ut intellgiam (faith seeking understanding) paradigm, which is a third significant difference.
4) It is also a much shorter and more didactic.
Watts is probably more a child of the Enlightenment than many of his contemporary readers realize. For example, Watts (like Locke) has very little interest in the authority of tradition. But for all his Enlightenment optimism, he still remains within the bounds of orthodox Protestantism, the Trinity Controversy notwithstanding.
Watts' Logic is clearly influenced by Locke's Essay. In fact, the outline of both works are nearly identical. But it is not how they are alike that matters most - it is how they are different.
1) Unlike Locke, Watts has a doctrine of the fall and acknowledges the limits of reason imposed by original sin.
2) And unlike Locke, Watts has some room for innate ideas, which seemed to be derived from Scripture (Rom. 2).
3) And this seems to suggest that Watts is still operating within the credo ut intellgiam (faith seeking understanding) paradigm, which is a third significant difference.
4) It is also a much shorter and more didactic.
Watts is probably more a child of the Enlightenment than many of his contemporary readers realize. For example, Watts (like Locke) has very little interest in the authority of tradition. But for all his Enlightenment optimism, he still remains within the bounds of orthodox Protestantism, the Trinity Controversy notwithstanding.
Displaying 1 of 1 review