Elementary Logic II (250-0-20)

Instructors

Sean Ebels Duggan
847/491-2553
Kresge 3-443

Meeting Info

Kresge Cent. Hall 2-380 Kaplan: Tues, Thurs 12:30PM - 1:50PM

Overview of class

(Interested students who have not take PHIL 150 are encouraged to contact the instructor.) This course is about ways to change and vary the logic learned in PHIL 150. The main variation in focus is what are called normal modal logics, and how they address questions of necessity and actuality. One typical way to think of necessity is "fails at no possible world we can access". Now, it seems clear that (A) "Necessarily, 1+1=3" should turn out false. Suppose though that we can't access any possible world, even the actual one. Then (A) will turn out true, because "1+1=3" fails at no possible world we can access (because we can't access any). So, when thinking about the truth of (A), our logic should assume we can access at least some possible world, preferably the actual one. This is a simple case with a simple fix, but some are much harder! The aim of the course is to use formal tools to understand a range of puzzles about necessity and their proposed solutions.

Learning Objectives

Facility with extended logical methods, both for deductions and interpretations. Understanding the philosophical applications and issues associated with each method.

Class Materials (Required)

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

Class Notes

Interested students who have not take PHIL 150 are encouraged to contact the instructor.

Class Attributes

Empirical and Deductive Reasoning Foundational Dis
Formal Studies Distro Area

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Pre-registration -- Reserved for Philosophy students. Pre-requisite: Students must have completed Philosophy 150 in order to enroll in this class.
Add Consent: Instructor Consent Required