Logic A

obowiązkowe

This course is an introduction to formal logic and formal methods in philosophy. The course covers the following topics: Formal methods of evaluating arguments: Sentential (propositional) logic, Categorical logic, Predicate (quantificational) logic.

This course is an introduction to formal logic and formal methods in philosophy. The course covers the following topics: Formal methods of evaluating arguments: Sentential (propositional) logic, Categorical logic, Predicate (quantificational) logic.

The course covers the following topics:

Formal methods of evaluating arguments:

Sentential logic: validity and the formal analysis of arguments; truth-functional connectives: conjunction, disjunction, conditional, biconditional, negation; first steps in symbolization; truth-tables; comparison of natural-language and logical connectives; tautologies, contradictions and contingent statements; symbolizing entire arguments; testing for validity with semantic tableaux; testing for validity by exhaustive search, testing for validity by constructing interpretations; expressive completeness; non-truth-functional connectives.

Natural deduction in sentential logic: the concept of proof; rules for conjunction, disjunction, negation, conditional and biconditional; sequent and theorem introduction.

Semantic and deductive consequence; soundness and completeness.

Categorical logic: categorical propositions; the four basic categorical forms; contradictories; existential commitment; validity for arguments containing categorical propositions; immediate inferences; syllogisms; Venn diagrams for syllogisms; the classical square of opposition.

Predicate (quantificational) logic:

Monadic predicate logic: the quantifiers (existential and universal); symbolizations, semantics for the quantifiers, constructing counterexamples; deductive consequence (rules for quantifiers).

First-order logic with identity: n-place predicates; identity; definite descriptions; ambiguity; demonstrating invalidity; proofs; rules for identity; semantic consequence, deductive consequence and decidability; some limitations of first-order logic.

Course textbooks:

Fogelin, Robert; Sinnott-Armstrong, Walter, Understanding Arguments. An Introduction to Informal Logic, Harcourt Brace College Publishers 1997.

Forbes, Graeme, Modern Logic. A Text in Elementary Symbolic Logic, Oxford University Press, New York - Oxford 1994.

Students know

how to formally evaluate arguments;

how to symbolize sentences and entire arguments in sentential and predicate logic (KW04, KW07, KW12)

Students

are able to construct natural deduction proofs in sentential and predicate logic

are able to construct interpretations and assess validity of reasonings

are able to listen attentively to complex presentations.

are able to read carefully a variety of technical and non-technical material.

are able to reflect clearly and critically on oral and written sources, employing powers of imagination as well as analysis. (KU01, KU02, KU05, KU07, KU08, KU16).

Studens know how to cooperate and work in groups, they are open to new ideas and ready to change their opinions when confronted with compeling new data and arguments (KK01, KK02, KK10).

There will be written tests (one per month). The student has to take all those tests. The course will end with a written exam during which the students will have e.g. to symbolize sentences, check validity of arguments, and construct natural deduction proofs. Grade: 100% written exam; students who obtain the highest grades from all monthly tests are exempt from writing the final exam and obtain the highest grade.

Acceptable number of missed classes without formal explanation: 2