Admission requirements
Admission to this course is restricted to:
BA students in Philosophy: Global and Comparative Perspectives.
International pre-master’s students in Philosophy who are in possession of an admission statement, and for whom this course is part of their programme.
Description
Logic begins by asking what distinguishes a well- from a poorly constructed deductive argument. The features of well-built argumentation can then be investigated in their own right using the basic tools of mathematics and formal analysis. When we do so, we uncover fascinating results concerning the nature and limitations of reasoning itself. Logic is thus central to the philosophical enterprise. This course will introduce students to the fundamentals of logic: the syntax and semantics of propositional and predicate logic, the formalization of English sentences and arguments, methods for determining validity in propositional and predicate logic (truth tables, natural deduction), and identity and definite descriptions.
Course objectives
This course aims to teach students the basic concepts and tools for the formal study of arguments (validity, soundness, consistency), the syntax and semantics of propositional and predicate logic, the formalization of English arguments using propositional and predicate logic, and techniques for proof in both logics.
Students who successfully complete the course will have a good understanding of:
key concepts in logic (such as validity, soundness, and consistency), the syntax and semantics of propositional and predicate logic, formalizations, natural deduction, and identity;
common logical fallacies.
Students who successfully complete the course will be able to:
translate natural language sentences and arguments into propositional and/or predicate form and vice versa;
use formal methods of proving validity (such as truth tables and natural deduction), both for sentences and for whole arguments;
apply these methods to the study of philosophical texts.
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
Mode of instruction
Lectures, 2 hours per week
Tutorials, 2 hours per week
Class attendance is required for lectures/seminars as well as for tutorials.
Assessment method
Assessment
Weekly assignments on Brightspace (20%)
Midterm written examination (30%)
Final written examination (50%)
The questions on the assignments will be largely technical in nature and will consist in exercises to assess mastery of the skills taught (including translations, proofs, and short answers applying the concepts taught.)
Satisfactory completion of the weekly assignments is a prerequisite for sitting the exams.
Weighing
The final mark for the course is established by determining the weighted average of the several subtests (see above).
Resit
The resit consists of one examination for both the midterm and final examination, consisting of a written exam covering the entire course content. The mark for the resit will replace all previously earned marks for the midterm and final exam (80%). No separate resits will be offered for mid- term tests.
Satisfactory completion of weekly assignments is a prerequisite for taking the resit and the grades for weekly assignments remain in place.
Inspection and feedback
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.
Reading list
- Volker Halbach (2010), The Logic Manual, Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780199587841.
Registration
Enrolment through MyStudymap is mandatory.
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc., contact the Education Administration Office: Huizinga
Remarks
Not applicable.