Elementary Logic I (150-0-20)

Instructors

Peter Dwight van Elswyk

Meeting Info

Harris Hall 107: Mon, Wed, Fri 11:00AM - 11:50AM

Overview of class

In a slogan, logic is about what follows from what. It concerns when information is guaranteed to be true because of how it is related to other true information. To learn a logic is to learn a formal language with its own rules (like a math or programming language), and to develop skill using this formal language. A logic is then used to figure out whether arguments are good or bad in roughly two steps. First, the argument is represented in a logic. Second, the argument is assessed by seeing whether it is constructed in a way where the argument's conclusion follows. Good arguments are structured so that their conclusions are guaranteed to be true when the premises are true; bad arguments are not. In this course, you will learn two logics: truth-functional logic and first-order logic. Truth-functional logic concerns arguments involving "and," "or," "if," and "not." First-order logic builds on truth-functional logic to concern complex arguments involving "every", "none," and "some." Since this course satisfies the FD-EDR degree requirement, students should expect a rigorous class with weekly assignments and quizzes.

Learning Objectives

To develop competence with truth-functional and first-order logic.

Evaluation Method

Final exam -in class

Class Materials (Required)

All class materials will be available on Canvas at NO cost to the student.

Class Notes

Final exam- in class

Class Attributes

Empirical and Deductive Reasoning Foundational Dis
Formal Studies Distro Area

Associated Classes

DIS - Locy Hall 305: Wed 1:00PM - 1:50PM

DIS - Kresge Centennial Hall 2-420: Tues 9:00AM - 9:50AM

DIS - Kresge Centennial Hall 2-440: Wed 4:00PM - 4:50PM

DIS - Locy Hall 106: Thurs 3:00PM - 3:50PM

DIS - Fisk Hall 114: Fri 2:00PM - 2:50PM

DIS - Kresge Centennial Hall 2-425: Fri 1:00PM - 1:50PM