Introduction to
Symbolic logic
Brandeis University
Summer Session II
2016
“Logic takes care of itself; all we have to do is to look and see how it does it.”
— Wittgenstein
I.
Course description, or what is symbolic logic?
Logic, for our purposes, is a subject whose aim is to interpret what is meant by
“reasoning well,” and aims to use such interpretations as a basis for analysis. These
aims are most efficiently met by introducing symbols that allow us to focus simply
on the form of reasoning rather than the content. Symbolic logic, then, seeks to
interpret “reasoning well” in terms of a few number of symbols, and to use such
symbolism to understand and manipulate relations among language assertions.
This course will focus primarily on the use of logic rather than its philosophical
interpretations; in this way, the course is designed to complement areas in
computer science, linguistics, and mathematics where logic is used in the
construction and analysis of formal proofs. Yet I will also commentate on some
substantive, philosophical aspects of logic.
II.
Contact me
Nelson Hosley
(hoss-lee)
Office: TBA
Office hours: TBA
nhosley@brandeis.edu
1
III.
Course goals
General goal
To enhance ones observation of the rules and relations used in logical reasoning,
especially in argumentation.
Specific goals
No worries if you cannot understand the following specific goals yet! They will
become clearer as the course progresses and this will serve as a useful checklist to
ensure that you are on track.
Transcribe English sentences into logical schemata, and logical schemata into
English sentences.
Test logical properties (e.g. tautology, equivalence, validity)
Provide truth interpretations
Complete deductive proofs for Propositional and Quantifier logic.
Use the property of identity.
Re-write a logical schema in Disjunctive Normal Form.
Critically reason regarding logical properties such as expressive adequacy, and
general laws of the logical systems.
IV. Readings and materials
Purchasing a textbook is not required, as I will make all reading material available.
It is the general nature of the course to generate a large number of papers, mainly
consisting in handouts, class notes, and problem sets. To accomodate your own
organization styles, I ensure your access to both hard copies and electronic copies
of all course documents. Hard copies will be handed out during class and will
thereafter be accessible during office hours. Electronic copies will be available on
Latte starting the day that they were handed out in class.
URL for instructions and information regarding the use of Latte:
http://lts.brandeis.edu/courses/newlatte/
URL for logging into Latte:
https://moodle2.brandeis.edu/
2
VI. Grading policy
50%
PROBLEM SETS
Due at the beginning of class every Thursday. Late problem sets will not
be accepted.
20%
Two hour midterm exam on July 25th.
MIDTERM EXAM
FINAL EXAM
PARTICIPATION
30%
Three hour cumulative final exam on August 9th.
Bonus
There is no pressure to participate in class discussion; but if you do, I may
reward you for your efforts.
*The use of cell phones and laptops is strictly prohibited.
VII. Academic integrity at Brandeis
Academic integrity is central to the mission of educational excellence at
Brandeis University. Each student is expected to turn in work completed
independently, except when assignments specifically authorize collaborative
effort. It is not acceptable to use the words or ideas of another person
without proper acknowledgement of that source.
Violations of University policies on academic integrity, described in Section
Three of Rights and Responsibilities, may result in failure of the course or on
the assignment, or in suspension or dismissal from the University. If you are
in doubt about the instructions for any assignment in this course or about
how to properly cite the sources you’ve used, it is your responsibility to ask
for help. If you have questions about academic integrity, please do not
hesitate to ask me, refer to the Rights and Responsibilities Handbook, or
contact the office of Student Development and Conduct.
VIII. Disabilities
If you are a student with a documented disability on record at Brandeis
University and wish to have a reasonable accommodation made for you in
this class, please see me as soon as possible.
3
IX. Course schedule
4