Thomas J. Brommage, Jr., MA
PHI 2101-01
Introduction to Formal Logic
T/Th 2:00-3:15 PM
 Office: FAO 206
Phone: 813-974-5885
Email: faith@freeshell.org
Website: http://brommage.freeshell.org

Course Objective: To familiarize the student with the basic concepts of the elementary study of propositional, predicate, syllogistic and class logic with some attention to basic problems of logical theory and history of formal logic.

Required Texts:

  1. Hughes, R.I.G. A Philosophical Companion to First-Order Logic. (Indianapolis: Hackett, 1993) $17
  2. Lemmon, E. J. Beginning Logic (Indianapolis: Hackett, 1978) $17
  3. Schumm, George. Companion to Lemmon

The main text for this class will be Lemmon's Beginning Logic. Several Essays from A Philosophical Companion to First-Order Logic (ed. R.I.G. Hughes) will be assigned, but the knowledge of these essays will not be tested. They are merely to entice discussion and to further enrich and aid you in the dialogue concerning the philosophical applications to formal logic. Problems will be assigned weekly from Lemmon and from Schumm's Companion to Lemmon.

Recommended Text:
  1. Tomassi, Paul. Logic (New York: Routledge. 1999) $26

The Tommassi book Logic covers the same material that is covered in the Lemmon book but in a much more explanatory and conceptual way. Those who generally learn more from reading and not as much from lecture and discussion should opt to buy the Tomassi book.

Schedule: (all dates are tentative and subject to change)
27 Aug: Introduction to Course and Objectives
29 Aug: Lemmon pp. 1-5
3 Sept: Strawson, "Logical Appraisal" in Hughes pp. 6-27
5 Sept: Quine, "Introduction" in Hughes pp. 1-6
10 Sept: Lemmon, pp. 5-19
12 Sept: Lemmon, pp. 19-27
17 Sept: Lemmon, pp. 28-40
19 Sept: Lemmon, pp. 42-49
24 Sept: Lemmon, pp. 49-64
26 Sept: Edgington, "Do Conditionals Have Truth Conditions?" in Hughes pp. 28-49
1 Oct: Grandy, "What Do 'Q' and 'R' Stand for, Anyway?" in Hughes pp. 50-62
3 Oct: Horwich, "Theories of Truth" in Hughes pp. 62-75
8 Oct: Haack, "The Justification of Deduction" in Hughes pp. 76-84/p>
10 Oct: Review for Midterm
15 Oct: Midterm Exam (in class)
17 Oct: Lemmon, pp. 92-104
22 Oct: Lemmon, pp. 104-111
24 Oct: Lemmon, pp. 111-117
29 Oct: Lemmon, pp. 117-128
31 Oct: Lemmon, pp. 138-148
5 Nov: Lemmon, pp. 148-159
7 Nov: Lemmon, pp. 159-168
12 Nov: Lemmon, pp. 168-179
14 Nov: Lemmon, pp. 179-188
19 Nov: Dummett, "Quantifiers" Hughes pp. 136-162
21 Nov: Quine, "Existence and Quantification" in Hughes pp. 162-177
26 Nov: Prawitz, "Gentzen's Analysis of First Order Proofs"
---. "On the Idea of a General Proof Theory" (both) in Hughes pp. 202-225
28 Nov: Thanksgiving: No Class
3 Dec: Review for Final
5 Dec: Final Exam (in class)

EVALUATION:

Five quizzes will be given through the semester. Some of these may be unannounced. The lowest score will not be counted into calculating your final grade. NO MAKE UPS will be offered on quizzes. In addition, there will be two exams given during the regularly scheduled class time (dates subject to change):

  • Midterm Exam--15 Oct
  • Final Exam--5 Dec

Anyone who cannot take either exam must make arrangements to make it up at least one week prior to the scheduled exam date. Failure to do so will result in a grade of "F" for said exam.

The following will be weighted accordingly to calculate your final grade:
Quizzes (4 x 5%)
Midterm Exam
Final Exam
Attendance and Homework "controls"
Participation
   20%
20%
30%
20%
10%

Students who wish to enhance their grade may have the option of writing a 5-7 page paper on a topic in logical theory and/or the history of logic selected by the instructor. Please note that this option is only available to those who get prior consent from me. Students who wish to pursue intermediate level logic and/or philosophy majors interested in graduate school should strongly consider this option also.