Course Description

01 (A. Skiles) This course introduces the foundations of modern formal logic, emphasizing results and techniques essential for further study in the subject and useful in the numerous academic disciplines that draw upon it (e.g. mathematics, computer science, linguistics, and philosophy). Topics to be covered include: basic notions of formal logic such as validity, soundness, the logical modalities, ambiguity, and the use vs. mention distinction; truth-functional connectives; translations into and from a formal language; the syntax, semantics, and basic metatheory of truth functional logic and first-order logic; how to construct formal proofs using a Fitch-style natural deduction system; and rudimentary set theory.

02 (E. Kalkus) This course is an introduction to symbolic logic. Logic is the study of correct reasoning and symbolic logic studies reasoning using formal languages. We will begin with propositional logic. Propositional logic will enable us to represent various connective terms that will allow us to evaluate various inferences. We will focus on determining the validity of arguments and the processes involved in derivations. Then, we will turn to predicate logic. Predicate logic subsumes propositional logic, but affords us additional tools to both represent terms such as “something” and “everything” and evaluate inferences.

03, 04 (Y. Kang) This course is an introduction to traditional categorical logic and modern symbolic logic. Logic is the study of correct reasoning and symbolic logic studies reasoning using formal languages. We will learn how to clarify the structure of an argument, translate the argument written in natural language (e.g. English) into symbols, and evaluate the symbolic arguments. The following three deductive systems will be mainly discussed: Categorical logic, Propositional logic, and Predicate logic. We will begin with categorical logic. The validity of a categorical argument depends on the relationships among classes, sets, or categories. We will practice how to analyze categorical claims with quantifiers (some, no, all). Then, we will discuss propositional logic. Propositional logic offers analytic tools for logical operators such as “and,” “or,” and “not.” We will practice validity tests using truth tables and various types of proofs by applying inference rules. Lastly, we will turn to predicate logic. Predicate logic subsumes propositional logic but affords us additional tools to represent the ideas of “some” and “all” and evaluate inferences. Philosophy 201 satisfies a Cognitive Skills and Processes: Quantitative and Formal Reasoning requirement of the Permanent Core Curriculum. Core Curriculum Learning Goal: Philosophy 201 meets Goal (a): “Apply effective and efficient mathematical or other formal processes to reason and to solve problems.”

90 (S. Kang) The objective of the course is to augment students' analytical and critical thinking through the study of formal logic. The students will learn philosophical concepts and introductory tools for valid reasoning and proof in modern logic. Semantics with Truth Tables and Syntax with Sentential Logic and Predicate Logic will constitute the main subject matter of the study; but at the same time, students will get to appreciate how formal apparatuses of modern logic can be utilized to illuminate the modes in which we actually think, and we are to operate normatively as a cognitive being. Students will be exposed to logical fallacies to avoid as well as sophisticated logical strategies to adopt in terms of both practical usages and philosophical foundations. (There is no prerequisite to this course, except a curious and rigorous mind.)

91 (C. Fruge) In this course, we’ll look at how to formally model good and bad reasoning. By learning what good reasoning is like, we can try to use it. By learning what bad reasoning is like, we can try to avoid it. Our route will be via the basics of propositional and predicate logic.