Module PHIL2181: Fundamentals of Logics

Department: Philosophy

PHIL2181: Fundamentals of Logics

Prerequisites

• At least one year one module in Philosophy.

Corequisites

• At least one other 'Year 2' module in Philosophy.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To provide students of philosophy with logical tools they need when working in the formal parts of the discipline.
• To explore some basic issues arising from the relationship between formal and natural languages, and the application of logical methods to philosophical problems.
• To introduce students to the philosophical history and context of the developments of logic.

Content

• Topics covered will include a selection of the following:
• Logic, arguments, soundness and validity.
• Syllogisms: Categorical propositions; the Square of Opposition; interpretations; proof theory; the limits of the syllogistic.
• Propositional logic: The Stoic roots of propositional logic; truth-functional connectives; formalisation; truth tables; assessing truth-functional validity using truth tables; truth-functional consistency and inconsistency; tautologies and contradictions; proof theory; the limits of propositional logic.
• Predicate logic: Predicates, variables and quantifiers; relations; identity; syntax of predicate logic; semantics; proof theory.
• Non-European logical traditions: Hindu and Buddhist logic, African Logic

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of this module, students will have knowledge and understanding of:
• 1. relations between the central concepts of logic: truth, validity and consistency;
• 2. the properties and limitations of systems of logic including the syllogistic, propositional logic, and predicate logic (with identity);
• 3. basic philosophical issues arising form the application of classical propositional and predicate logics to ordinary-language inferences;
• 4. Some aspects of the history and development of competing accounts of "good argument", and the philosophical issues which underlie these developments.

• By the end of this module, students will have a practical ability to deploy formal methods, such as those provided by the syllogistic, propositional logic, and predicate logic (with identity) for assessing truth, validity, consistency, logical equivalence, and derivability in particular cases.

• By the end of this module, students will be able to:
• comprehend complex ideas, propositions and theories.
• defend their opinions by reasoned argument.
• tackle problems in a clear-sighted and logical fashion.
• explain their answers to their peers.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Lectures deliver basic module-specific information and provide a framework for further study.
• Discussion groups provide opportunities for students to test their own understanding through formative exercises.
• Guided reading provides a structure within which students exercise and extend their abilities to make use of available learning resources.
• Formative exercises provide the opportunity for students to test their knowledge and understanding of module content and their ability to apply logical concepts and methods, uninhibited by the presence of summative assessments.
• Summative exercises test students' knowledge and understanding of module content, and their ability to apply logical concepts and methods.
• The unseen examination tests students' overall knowledge and understanding of the module content at the end of the module, and their ability to bring it to bear on new problems under pressure of time.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Homework in the form of weekly exercises to be prepared in advance of every discussion group.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University