PHIL 155.001 – Truth and Proof: Introduction to Mathematical Logic

Instructor: Aaron Thieme. This course meets MWF 8:00 – 8:50 a.m. in CW 105.

In this course we study arguments, sets of premises that support a conclusion. We are particularly concerned with deductively valid arguments, arguments where the truth of the premises entails the truth of the conclusion. To study deductively valid arguments, we rely on formal or mathematical tools, such as artificial languages, and we practice translating between arguments in English and arguments in these artificial languages. We ultimately work with two formal logical systems; we start with propositional logic before moving on to quantificational logic.

The course requires Language, Proof and Logic, Second Edition, by Barwise and Etchemendy. You may buy a physical copy of the book from the campus bookstore or purchase an electronic version of the book from the book’s official website: https://ggweb.gradegrinder.net/lpl. In either case, you want to procure a new copy of the text because you want the registration ID that comes with the book to be unique to you, so that you can use the book’s website to submit your homework.