What did Socrates and Plato contribute to formal logic?

Socrates and Plato made significant contributions to the development of formal logic, although their contributions were foundational and conceptual rather than the formal systems of logic we are familiar with today.

1. Socratic Method: Socrates is not typically associated with formal logic in the modern sense, but he introduced a method of inquiry known as the Socratic method. This method involved asking a series of questions to probe and clarify one’s beliefs and ideas. While not a formal system of logic, it laid the groundwork for critical thinking and dialectical reasoning, which are central to the development of logic.
2. Platonic Dialogues: Plato, a student of Socrates, used dialogues as a means of philosophical exploration and argumentation. In these dialogues, Socrates engages in discussions with various interlocutors to explore and clarify philosophical concepts. Plato’s writings, particularly in his dialogues like the “Meno” and “Phaedo,” contributed to the development of argumentation and the examination of definitions and concepts.
3. Theory of Forms: Plato introduced the Theory of Forms, which proposed that abstract, ideal forms or concepts exist independently of the physical world. This idea had implications for the way philosophers thought about categories, definitions, and the nature of reality. It encouraged thinking about abstract concepts in a more systematic and rigorous way.

While Socrates and Plato did not develop formal symbolic logic systems like those attributed to later philosophers like Aristotle, their emphasis on critical thinking, dialectical reasoning, and the examination of concepts played a foundational role in the history of logic. Their contributions paved the way for the more formal and systematic development of logic by later philosophers, including Aristotle, who formulated the first comprehensive system of deductive logic.