This work investigates the fundamental nature of inquiry, arguing that logic is not a static set of formal rules but a functional process of resolving problematic situations. John Dewey, a prominent American philosopher and educational reformer, utilizes his background in pragmatism to redefine logic as the method by which human beings transform indeterminate situations into unified, settled ones. He posits that all logical forms arise from the practical requirements of inquiry rather than from a priori structures of the mind.

Scholars and philosophers frequently cite this text as a foundational document for understanding the pragmatist approach to logic and scientific methodology. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which requires careful engagement with Dewey's specific terminology regarding transactional realism.