United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
General Conference
40th session, Paris, 2019

40 C/74
13 November 2019

OUTLINE

Source: 207 EX/Decision 42.

Background: At its 207th session, in 207 EX/Decision 42, the Executive Board recommended “that UNESCO’s General Conference, at its 40th session,proclaim 14 January “World Logic Day”, in association with the International Council for Philosophy and Human Sciences (CIPSH)”.

Purpose: The report explains the historical, cultural and intellectual importance of logic for philosophy and the sciences; argues that the proclamation of World Logic Day would contribute to the development of logic, through teaching and research, as well as to public dissemination of the discipline and to the promotion of international cooperation in the field; and offers a rationale for UNESCO celebration of World Logic Day without financial implications, in close synergy with World Philosophy Day, drawing on the commitment of existing academic networks, and working in collaboration with the CIPSH.

Decision required: Paragraph 7.

1. The ability to think is one of the most defining features of humankind. In different cultures, the definition of humanity is associated with concepts such as consciousness, knowledge and reason. According to the classic western tradition, human beings are defined as “rational” or “logical animals”. Logic, as the investigation on the principles of reasoning, has been studied by many civilizations throughout history and, since its earliest formulations, logic has played an important role in the development of philosophy and the sciences.

2. Despite its undeniable relevance to the development of knowledge, sciences and technologies, there is little public awareness on the importance of logic. The proclamation of World Logic Day by UNESCO, in association with the International Council for Philosophy and Human Sciences (CIPSH), intends to bring the intellectual history, conceptual significance and practical implications of logic to the attention of interdisciplinary science communities and the broader public.

3. A dynamic and global annual celebration of World Logic Day aims at fostering international cooperation, promoting the development of logic, in both research and teaching, supporting the activities of associations, universities and other institutions involved with logic, and enhancing public understanding of logic and its implications for science, technology and innovation. Furthermore, the celebration of World Logic Day can also contribute to the promotion of a culture of peace, dialogue and mutual understanding, based on the advancement of education and science.

4. On 14 January 2019, the first World Logic Day was celebrated as an initiative of universities, research institutes, foundations and associations active in the fields of mathematics, philosophy, computer sciences, engineering, economics and cognitive sciences. The existence of these networks, and their commitment to future annual celebrations of World Logic Day, offer credible assurance that the proclamation of the Day by UNESCO, in association with the relevant member organizations of the CIPSH, will lead to a solid action plan towards impact and added value. UNESCO’s commitment to World Logic Day will ensure that it has a broader and more geographically diverse orientation and connects organically to established programme priorities in the humanities.

5. The initiative has no financial implications for UNESCO. Celebrations would be organized, drawing on their own resources, by institutions in Member States and by international partners, including especially CIPSH member organizations, in particular the Division for Logic, Methodology and Philosophy of Science and Technology of the International Union for History and Philosophy of Science and Technology (DLMPST/IUHPST). The work of the Secretariat to coordinate World Logic Day would be absorbed within the human capacities already assigned to development of humanities workstreams, in close synergy with the annual celebration of World Philosophy Day. Coordinated planning of the two days will ensure a stronger presence of philosophy throughout UNESCO’s calendar, consolidate relations with academic stakeholders through the association with the CIPSH, and thus contribute to the strengthening of the humanities called for by the General Conference in 39 C/Resolution 29. Organization of specific activities by UNESCO, in particular at Headquarters, would be conditional on extrabudgetary support.

6. The Executive Board considered the above matter at its 207th session and recommended, in 207 EX/Decision 42, that the General Conference proclaim 14 January “World Logic Day”, in association with CIPSH.

Proposed draft resolution

7. In light of the above, the General Conference may wish to adopt a resolution along the following lines:

The General Conference,

Having examined 40 C/74,

Noting the recommendation of the Executive Board as contained in 207 EX/Decision 42,

Recalling UNESCO’s mandate in education, sciences and culture,

Also recalling that logic, as a discipline that encourages rational and critical thinking, is of paramount importance for the development of human knowledge, science and technology,

Further recalling that the dissemination of logic, a discipline that was developed by different civilizations and is based on the virtues of discourse and argumentation, can contribute to the achievement of a culture of peace, dialogue and mutual understanding among nations,

Noting that the proclamation of world logic day will have no financial implications for UNESCO,

Convinced that the proclamation of world logic day would contribute to the development of logic, through teaching and research, as well as to public dissemination of the discipline and to the promotion of international cooperation in the field,

1. Invites the Member States of UNESCO to celebrate world logic day every year, organizing national events on 14 January with the active participation of governmental and non-governmental, public and private institutions concerned, such as schools, universities, research institutes, philosophical and scientific associations, and others,

2. Invites the Director-General to encourage and publicize initiatives taken in this regard at the national, regional and international levels, working closely with the International Council for Philosophy and Human Sciences (CIPSH),

3. Proclaims 14 January “World Logic Day”, in association with the International Council for Philosophy and Human Sciences (CIPSH).