Philosophy 240: Symbolic Logic

Russell Marcus, Instructor. Email me.

Hamilton College, Fall 2010

Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays: 9am - 9:50am

Benedict 207

Syllabus

Class Notes

Handouts

Assignments

Homework Solutions

Readings

Links

 

 

 

Texts

Assignments

Office Hours

Schedule

pdf syllabus

 

 

 

 

 

Syllabus

 

Course Description and Overview:

Philosophy has one technical tool: logic. Formal logic is the study of arguments and inferences, made in artificial languages designed to maximize precision. This course is a standard introduction to elementary formal logic, covering propositional logic and predicate logic, including identity theory, functions, and second-order quantification. The central goal of this course is to provide you with a technical method of deciding what follows from what.

The two main techniques we will study are translation and derivation. We will establish a formal definition of valid inference using logical operators and truth functions. We will translate sentences of English into the formal languages of propositional and predicate logic, and back. We will use a proof system to infer new claims from given ones, following prescribed rules of inference and proof strategies.

Thirty of the forty-two class meetings will be devoted to learning logical techniques. There will be seven Philosophy Fridays during which we will examine some philosophical questions about logic. Some of these questions concern the status of logic, and its relation to the rest of our knowledge. Some of these questions concern how best to construct logical systems. The remaining five classes, and the final exam period, will be used for tests. You will be asked to write one essay.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Texts

Patrick Hurley, A Concise Introduction to Logic, 10th edition, Wadsworth. The full text costs ~$130. I have ordered copies with just the sections we will use, and an appendix of interest to pre-law students. It will be available at the bookstore for $50.

Other readings and class notes here. These will be especially important for the several topics not covered in Hurley.

Other recommended sources are listed in the Course Bibliography.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assignments and Grading:

Your responsibilities this course include the following, with their contributions to your grade calculation in parentheses:

                          Attendance
                          Homework (8%)
                          Six Tests (72%, 12% each)
                          One four-to-six page paper (20%)

             Attendance: Classes are for your edification. It will be useful for you to come to class, but there is no direct penalty for missing class. Some students pick up on the technical material quickly. If you do miss a class, you should arrange to drop off your homework, if you have homework due to be handed in.

             Homework: Homework assignments and their due dates are listed on the schedule below. Some homework assignments are problem sets, mainly from the Hurley text; there are also seven homework handouts. Other homework assignments are readings in preparation for classes in which we will discuss the philosophy of logic.
             All students will be expected to hand in the first six problem sets, those which are due before the first exam. If you receive less than an 85% on any exam, you must hand in all problem sets which are due before the next exam. If you receive an 85% or higher on the most recent exam, you may hand in your homework, if you wish, but it will not be required. When handing in homework, make it neat and presentable. There should be no ripped or crumpled pages. Problems should be clearly delimited. Questions need not be written out fully, but solutions must be.
             Sample solutions to all homework problems are available on line. Acceptable solutions to most problems vary. We will begin most classes with time to review a few homework questions. You are expected to have completed the homework and looked at the solutions provided before the beginning of class. Come to class prepared to ask any questions about the homework that remain unanswered.
             Use the text as a reference guide. The chapter sections include excellent examples, and solutions. Read on a need-to-know basis: when you have difficulty with specific problems, read the relevant sections of the chapter. My lecture notes should also be helpful, and contain additional exercises. The homework assignments on the schedule are minimal. If you are still struggling with the material, you should do more problems.

             Tests: All six tests are mandatory. Dates for the tests are given on the schedule below. No make-ups will be allowed for missed tests. If you are unable to take a test, you must request an arrangement from me in advance. The final exam will be one more test of the same type as each of the first five tests. Be prepared: the final exam will cover the most difficult material in the course.

              You will have an opportunity, at the time of the final, to take a compensatory version of up to two of the first five tests. I will average the grade on the re-take with your original grade. If you miss a test during the term, the re-take will be averaged with a 0. Practice problems for each test will be available on the course website.

             Paper: Each student will write a short paper on a topic in logic, philosophy of logic, or the application of logic to philosophy. Seven class meetings will be devoted to such topics. All papers will require a small amount of research. Papers may be mainly expository, especially those covering technical topics. But, the best papers will philosophical, and will defend a thesis. I will suggest topics and readings through the term. Papers are due on December 3, though they may be submitted at any time during the course. More details about the papers will be distributed in class.

             The Hamilton College Honor Code will be strictly enforced

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Office Hours

             My office hours for the Fall 2010 term are 10:30am - noon, Monday through Friday. My office is in room 201 of 210 College Hill Road, which is at the northwest corner of CHR and Griffin Road.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Schedule: