Logical Hylomorphism and Its Problems: Revisiting the Form-Content Distinction in Human Reasoning

According to a version of logical hylomorphism that is derived from Kant and has become popular along with the use of modern logic techniques, the validity of reasoning is a purely formal validity completely independent of content, and logic’s concern with such formality is the primary characteristic that distinguishes it from other disciplines. However, this conception of logical hylomorphism is wavering as contemporary non-classical logic, philosophy of logic and psychology of reasoning delve deeply into the problem of reasoning. Given the instability of the form-content distinction, the non-eliminability of material validity, and the robust “content effect” in actual human reasoning, it is reasonable to rethink the role of “formality” and “logical words” in the study of logic from a contemporary multidisciplinary perspective.