PHIL 110-002: Intro to Logic (Fall 2012)

What does it mean to reason correctly? What benefit, if any, does correct reasoning provide for our lives? To what extent can we stipulate in advance the criteria of correct reasoning? Of rational persuasion?  A basic grasp of the central concepts and principles of logic will help us to begin to address these questions and to develop skills of analysis, reasoning, and persuasion valuable in almost every academic, professional, social, and political setting. One hour a week will be devoted to applied logic – the use of logical concepts and principles in service of original thinking about contemporary social and political issues. 

 Topics covered include:  Argument as a Distinct Form Communication; Argument Structure; Deduction and Induction; Argument Evaluation: Informal and Formal Fallacies, Validity, Soundness, Strength, Cogency; Categorical Logic: Propositional Logic; Introduction to Predicate Logic; Introduction to Other Logics; The Possibilities and Limits Afforded by Logical Analysis; The Social and Political Implications of Logical Norms.

Course Objectives: To enable students to (a) analyze and evaluate different kinds of arguments, (b) identify ordinary language arguments and translate them into formal notation, (c) construct original arguments, (d) comprehend the relevance of logic to daily life in a way that is practically meaningful, and (e) deploy these various abilities in service of original thinking about contemporary social and political issues