Course Overview
This course is an introduction to the concepts and techniques of symbolic logic. We will learn how to represent sentences and arguments in symbolic notation, how to think systematically about the meanings of these symbolic sentences, and how to establish the validity or invalidity of the arguments consisting in such sentences, using both semantic methods and the method of natural deduction. We'll start with the simple logical system of sentential logic, acquire mastery of the basic concepts and techniques there, and then move on to the more powerful logical system of first-order predicate logic. In developing these logical systems, we will occasionally venture into philosophical issues that arise, but our main focus will be to develop competence with the concepts and techniques of symbolic logic as such. pdf of syllabus
Coursebook: The book for the course is free and is available here.
Class 1: Introduction
Class 2: The Language of Sentential Logic
Class 3: Semantics of SL
Class 4: Semantics of SL, Continued
Class 5: Putting Truth-Tables to Work
Class 6: Natural Deduction for SL
Class 7: Proof Strategies for SL
Class 8: The Language of Predicate Logic
Class 9: Semantics for PL
Class 10: Natural Deduction for PL
Class 11: Natural Deduction for PL, Continued
Class 12: PL with Identity
Class 13: The Logic of Paradox
Class 14: The Logic of Paradox, Continued
This course is an introduction to the concepts and techniques of symbolic logic. We will learn how to represent sentences and arguments in symbolic notation, how to think systematically about the meanings of these symbolic sentences, and how to establish the validity or invalidity of the arguments consisting in such sentences, using both semantic methods and the method of natural deduction. We'll start with the simple logical system of sentential logic, acquire mastery of the basic concepts and techniques there, and then move on to the more powerful logical system of first-order predicate logic. In developing these logical systems, we will occasionally venture into philosophical issues that arise, but our main focus will be to develop competence with the concepts and techniques of symbolic logic as such. pdf of syllabus
Coursebook: The book for the course is free and is available here.
Class 1: Introduction
- Reading: Chapter 1
- Class 1 Handout
Class 2: The Language of Sentential Logic
- Reading: Chapter 2
- Class 2 Handout
Class 3: Semantics of SL
- Reading: Chapter 3, through section 3.4
- Class 3 Handout
Class 4: Semantics of SL, Continued
- Reading: Chapter 3, section 3.5 on
- Class 4 Handout
Class 5: Putting Truth-Tables to Work
- Reading: Chapter 4
- Class 5 Handout
Class 6: Natural Deduction for SL
- Reading: Chapter 5
- Class 6 Handout
Class 7: Proof Strategies for SL
- Reading: Chapter 6
- Class 7 Handout
Class 8: The Language of Predicate Logic
- Reading: Chapter 7
- Class 8 Handout
Class 9: Semantics for PL
- Reading: Chapter 8
- Class 9 Handout
Class 10: Natural Deduction for PL
- Reading: Chapter 9
- Class 10 Handout
Class 11: Natural Deduction for PL, Continued
- Reading: Chapter 9
- PL Deduction Practice Problems with Answers
Class 12: PL with Identity
- Reading: Chapter 10
- Class 12 Handout
Class 13: The Logic of Paradox
- Reading: Chapter 11, through 11.4
- Class 13 Handout
Class 14: The Logic of Paradox, Continued
- Reading: Chapter 11, 11.5 on
- Class 14 Handout