Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2019-2020 (archived)

Module PHIL2181: Fundamentals of Logics

Department: Philosophy

PHIL2181: Fundamentals of Logics

Type Open Level 2 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2019/20 Module Cap None. Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • At least one year one module in Philosophy.

Corequisites

  • At least one other 'Year 2' module in Philosophy.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To provide students of philosophy with logical tools they need when working in the formal parts of the discipline.
  • To explore some basic issues arising from the relationship between formal and natural languages, and the application of logical methods to philosophical problems.
  • To introduce students to the philosophical history and context of the developments of logic.

Content

  • Introduction: logic, arguments and validity.
  • Syllogisms: Categorical propositions; the Square of Opposition; interpretations; proof theory; the limits of the syllogistic.
  • Propositional logic: The Stoic roots of propositional logic; truth-functional connectives; formalisation; truth tables; assessing truth-functional validity using truth tables; truth-functional consistency and inconsistency; tautologies and contradictions; proof theory; the limits of propositional logic.
  • Predicate logic: Predicates, variables and quantifiers; relations; identity; syntax of predicate logic; semantics; proof theory.
  • Hindu and Buddhist logic: Context; inference forms; good and bad inferences; the Wheel of Reasons.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of this module, students will have knowledge and understanding of:
  • 1. relations between the central concepts of logic: truth, validity and consistency;
  • 2. the properties and limitations of systems of logic including the syllogistic, propositional logic, and predicate logic (with identity);
  • 3. basic philosophical issues arising form the application of classical propositional and predicate logics to ordinary-language inferences;
  • 4. Some aspects of the history and development of competing accounts of "good argument", and the philosophical issues which underlie these developments.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • By the end of this module, students will have a practical ability to deploy formal methods, provided by the syllogistic, propositional logic, and predicate logic (with identity) for assessing truth, validity, consistency, logical equivalence, and derivability in particular cases.
Key Skills:
  • By the end of this module, students will be able to:
  • comprehend complex ideas, propositions and theories.
  • defend their opinions by reasoned argument.
  • tackle problems in a clear-sighted and logical fashion.
  • explain their answers to their peers.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • enter text as appropriate for the module

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 20 Weekly 1 hour 20
Discussion Groups 8 Fortnightly 1 hour 8
Preparation and reading time 172
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Written exercise in logic Component Weighting: 25%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Written exercise in logic Take home 100%
Component: Written exercise in logic Component Weighting: 25%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Written exercise in logic Take home 100% yes
Component: Written examination Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Written examination 2 hours 100% yes

Formative Assessment:

Weekly exercises


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University