PHIL180 is a first course in logic. It begins with an informal study of arguments intended to distinguish them from explanations, show how they work, and identify common pitfalls. It then turns to an extended formal study of arguments, made possible by translations into simple artificial languages. Depending on student interest, the last week or two of the course can be devoted to arguments as they appear on graduate-level admissions tests like the LSAT and the GMAT, or else to a more advanced consideration of the course's formal apparatus.
By the end of the Spring term, students will understand what separates good arguments from bad ones. They will also know how to translate English sentences into sentences of two artificial languages, how to interpret sentences of those artificial languages, and how to establish conclusions using premises in both English and the artificial languages.
Course Requirements:
No data submitted
Intended Audience:
All students welcome. No previous experience with Philosophy is assumed.
Class Format:
4 hrs lecture w/discussion per week