Logic

Fall '03

Crispin Sartwell

717 227 1902

c.sartwell@verizon.net

office: Bunting 432

Required text

Samuel Guttenplan, The Languages of Logic

This course is an introduction to deductive logic, with an emphasis on symbolic languages: sentential and predicate. The subject matter, then, is the form of reasoning, and what makes for good and bad argumentation. Everyone has developed a variety of reasoning abilities and strategies, but the formal study of logic is likely to sharpen and extend them. Our book is quite an excellent and unique text, and explores the conceptual underpinnings and philosophical implications of formal systems throughout.

Unlike any other course I teach, the subject-matter of logic is strictly cumulative, each bit building on the previous material. For that reason, if you miss readings and classes or don't do the exercises, you will quickly find yourself lost in a bewildering forest of tri-bars and backwards E's. Do try to keep up, for God's sake. If you do, you'll find the material comprehensible. Really.

There will be a brief (15-20 minute) quiz each week, as well as one-hour mid-term and final exams. The quizzes will count as half the grade, each exam for a fourth. You may miss one quiz or drop one quiz grade. The best way to prepare is to do all the exercises in each of the chapters we cover as you read the chapter. You'll be glad you did.

Students with disabilities: please see me so that I can accommodate you.

Sept 5

Introduction: the capacities and limits of logic.

Sept 12

pp. 1-38

Sept 19

pp. 41-59

Sept 26

pp. 60-79

Oct 3

pp. 84-97

Oct 10

pp. 98-125

Oct 17

pp. 126-155

Oct 25

mid-term exam

Oct 31

pp. 156-179

Nov 7

pp. 180-205

November 14

pp. 206-231

Nov 21

pp. 233-259

December 5

pp. 260-287

December 12

pp. 288-308

Dec 19

final exam