Professor Judy Pelham

pelham@yorku.ca

Office Location:  S440 Ross

Phone Number:  (416) 736-2100 Ext. 44721

Office Hours:  TBA

This course is a continuation of Phil 2100.  Students who enjoyed and did well in Introduction to Logic are encouraged to take this course. The course takes a more in depth look at predicate logic and identity than what was possible in Phil 2100. We also consider logic in relation to language and philosophy of language.  We use many of the same methods as in Phil 2100, but do some philosophy at the same time.

The course begins by reviewing basic translations in predicate logic, and takes a look at what is sometimes known as ‘baby’ set theory.  We then move on to understand the semantics of predicate logic using chapters 7 and 8 of The Logic Book. We continue to explore the natural deduction system PD, and do derivations involving multiple quantification. We then introduce the identity relation into our logic and look at extending predicate logic to include this operation.  In the final third of the course we will discuss predicate logic in relation to natural language, including explaining some basic meta-theoretical results, and reflecting on Montague’s project of translating English syntax into logic. We will also look at how Russell and Frege wanted to interpret more English expressions using logic.  What is the role of logic in philosophy?

The text is The Logic Book by Bergmann, Moore and Nelson.

There will be a course pack including chapters 7, 8 and 10 of the Second Edition of the The Logic Book.  But if you have a hard copy of one of the later editions that will work as well.

Mid term test: 20%

Final Exam: 50%

Homework/assignments: 4 @ 7% each: 28%

Attendance: 2%

This course meets for three hours each week.  The time is divided up between lecture, student problem demonstrations, homework review, and discussion.

1. To assess the validity of English arguments containing the logical words “all,” and “some” as deductively valid or invalid.
2.  To identify the basic elements of English sentences, subject and predicate, modifiers, and connectives, as part of understanding the logical form English sentences.
3. To gain a full understanding of predicate logic in terms of its model semantics and its relationship to English quantifier phrases.
4. To gain the ability to construct natural language derivations involving predicate and sentential logic.