| Overview |
Logic has been described as "the science of necessary inference" (by W. Quine) or as "the science of deduction" (by R. Jeffrey).
To put it more conversationally, logic is the study of correct forms of reasoning.
But what is a necessary inference? What's a deduction? What is a correct form of reasoning?
In Philosophy 201, we answer these questions while developing aptitude with the logician's special techniques for investigating certain sorts of relations within and among humanly uttered claims about the world.
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| Learning Objectives |
Philosophy
201
is designed to enable students to understand such basic concepts as
validity,
soundness, and consistency; to analyze discourse containing
demonstrative
arguments; to evaluate arguments using fundamental decision procedures;
to construct formal proofs of validity in accordance with fundamental
principles
of inference; and to develop critical thinking and problem-solving
skills.
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| Textbook | First-order Logic: An Introduction, by Leigh S. Cauman (Walter de Gruyter, 1998).
Success in Philosophy 201 depends heavily on keeping current with
assigned
reading, and on diligence with problem sets.
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| Staff Information | Professor
Knight's
office is located at 1017 Lincoln Hall, Room 103. Phone 426-2797, email
gknight@boisestate.edu. Tutoring may be available, if
there is sufficient demand. Details will be announced.
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| Workload and Grading |
Attendance
will count toward overall grade. Assessments will include midterm
exams, a comprehensive final exam, and various homework
assignments. Examination dates will be provided on a Course
Calendar. There will be no early, late, or make-up exams
given.
Knowledge and skills to
be gained in this course fall into categories corresponding roughly to
chapters of the textbook. Grades will be
based on rates of success for work assigned these categories.
Specifics of the grading scheme will be explained in a separate
document. Expect that to receive a grade of C for the course, you
will need to maintain a 70% success rate.
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| Electronic Resources |
Students
will
be expected to utilize a developed web site for obtaining course
information,
for completing assignments, and for interacting with classmates and the
instructor. The course site will be available at http://blackboard.boisestate.edu.
A Blackboard User Account will be established by BSU personnel, in the
opening days of the semester.
Electronic resources are not intended to be, and will not be permitted to be, a substitute for face-to-face instruction. It is assumed that by enrolling in this course, each person declares a commitment to be present punctually at each scheduled meeting of the class. |