Carnap on the Question over the Number of Correct Logics

Though there has been debate on how Carnap responds to the question over the number of correct logics, it is usually assumed that he takes this question to be a legitimate one. This essay challenges this assumption. It is argued that though not in a particularly explicit fashion, Carnap pursues a task: to suggest that the stated question is an illegitimate one, that is, a pseudo-question similar to those of metaphysics and whose responses lack cognitive sense in leading to overwhelming dissensus. Likewise, Carnap pursues a second task not usually considered by the literature: to indicate that users of the term, “logic”, have, can and probably will continue to determine locally and on their own what makes what they do deserving of having the title of “logic” attached to it as well as what are the rules to do that “correctly” in any sense of the terms, “logic” and “correctly”, which aims to be relevant vis-à-vis a given area of inquiry. Another task pursued by Carnap is to propose a criterion for dialogue with these users. This task has also not been usually acknowledged by Carnap’s interpreters. This essay likewise aims to close this gap.