PredicateLogic
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Predicate LogicProfessor Peter Ross
Philosophy 390Office: Bldg. 1, Rm. 325
Spring 2017Phone: (909) 869-3036
CRN 31293, 4 unitse-mail:
Class meetings: MWF 9:15-10:20Office hours: M: noon-1;
Location: Bldg. 5, Rm. 124W: noon-2;and by appt.
In Logic and Computing, you were introduced to techniques for symbolizing deductive arguments and testing them for validity. The focus had been sentential logic, in which English simple sentences were taken as unanalyzed wholes. However, the validity of many arguments cannot be captured in sentential logic. In Predicate Logic, you will be introduced to the formal techniques of predicate logic--which are also techniques for symbolizingdeductive arguments and testing them for validity, but where we analyzethe internal structure of simple sentences.
Logic is not an end in itself; however, like math, it is extremely useful as a tool for analysis. Learning the basics of logic is useful for understanding and evaluating reasoning generally. In addition, since notation and techniques of predicate logic are often used in advanced philosophical writing, you will find that learning predicate logic is helpful for gaining access to advanced philosophical work.
Required Text:
Virginia Klenk, Understanding Symbolic Logic, 5th Edition(Prentice Hall, 2008).
Other readings provided in class
CourseGoals:
1. To learn formal techniques of predicate logic for analyzing and evaluating deductive arguments.
2. To help you improve critical thinking skills.
3. To help you gain access to advanced philosophical work.
Requirements and Grading:
Weekly homework30%
First midterm20%Units 10-14date: Wed. April 19 in class
Second midterm20%Units 14, 15, 17date: Fri. May12 in class
Final exam30%Comprehensivedate: Mon. June5 9:10-11:10
Weekly homework will be assigned on Friday, and will be due in lecture the following class (usually Monday). No late homework will be accepted (except in case of documented illness; please contact me as soon as possible--by phone or email--to inform of missing homework). Your best 6 out of 8 assigned homeworks will count toward your homework grade.
Makeups of missed midterm exams will be given only in cases of documented illness; please contact me as soon as possible--by phone or email--to inform of absence from exams.
Tentative schedule for reading assignments:
Week of:
Mar. 27Topic: Predicate logicgrammar and symbolization
Units 10-12
Apr. 3Topic: Symbolization of categorical propositions
Unit 12, 13
Apr. 10Topic: Symbolization of categorical propositions (cont.)
Units 13
Apr. 17Topic: Symbolization of categorical propositions(cont.)and quantifier form
Units13, 14
Wednesday April 19: First midterm (Units 10-14)
Apr. 24Topic: Quantifier form and proofs
Units 14, 15
May1Topic: Proofs (cont.)and symbolization ofrelational predicates
Units 15, 17
May8Topic: Symbolization of relational predicates (cont.)
Unit 17
FridayMay12: Second midterm (Units 14, 15, 17)
May15Topic: Symbolization of relational predicates (cont.)
Unit 17
May22Topic: Identity and definite descriptions
Unit 19
May31Topic: Identity and definite descriptions (cont.)
Unit 19;
Bertrand Russell, “Descriptions” (provided in class)
The average reading assignment per week is short (about 20 pages), but some of the material will be difficult to understand after one reading. Ideas that had been unclear on first reading will become clear after rereading, doing exercises, and attending class.