EQUR 121 – INTRODUCTION TO SYMBOLIC LOGIC
Koç University, SPRING 2015
Prof. Burak Özbağcı, [email protected], SCIENCE 153,
Office Hours: Tue-Thu 15:00-16:00
COURSE CONTENT: Logic is the study of correct and incorrect reasoning. Logicians
want to understand what makes good reasoning good and bad reasoning bad. This
helps us avoid making mistakes in our own reasoning, and it allows us to evaluate
the reasoning of others. In ordinary language, we give arguments to convince each
other that certain conclusions are true, and certain others are false. What you may
not be aware of is that these ordinary-language arguments have an underlying
formal structure that can be mapped and studied. Symbolic logic is the study of this
abstract formal structure. But the importance of logic goes beyond this. Logic lies at
the foundations of mathematics, linguistics, cognitive science, computer science, and
philosophy.
This course is an introduction to symbolic logic. Our focus will be on two different
formal languages: sentential (propositional) logic and predicate logic. In both
languages, we will examine how these artificial languages relate to English (a natural
language), different ways in which formal languages can be used to determine
whether arguments are valid (or invalid), and how to reason using these languages.
PREREQUISITES: None. In particular, the course presupposes no mathematical
knowledge. Whatever your major is, this course will improve your reasoning skills!
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
1. Objective #1 (Learn two symbolic languages): Students will learn the
vocabulary, syntax, and semantics of two different symbolic languages
(sentential & predicate logic) and how these languages relate to English.
2. Objective #2 (Learn key analytical skills & vocabulary): Students will learn
how to use the symbolic languages taught in this course to determine certain
fundamental features of language and how to talk about these features using
analytical vocabulary.
3. Objective #3 (Learn how to formally test arguments): Students will learn
how to use various mechanical tests to test propositions, sets of propositions,
and arguments for various properties, and develop counterexamples for
invalid arguments.
4. Objective #4 (Learn how to write a proof): Students will learn how to
formally write proofs in two different languages. That is, they will learn a set of
inference, derivation, or "proof" rules and use these rules to show that a
conclusion follows from a set of premises.
5. Objective #5 (Learn to think like a logician): Students will learn how to
articulate how certain methods and procedures used in logic relate to various
logical properties that belong to everyday argument and arguments in
symbolic languages.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students completing Symbolic Logic course will
1. acquire critical thinking skills by understanding better the logical structure of
language and argument by symbolization and proofs,
2. acquire improved reading and writing skills, which is crucial for success in any
field of work,
3. be able understand, analyze, evaluate and verify the correctness of logical
inferences,
4. be able to translate English statements in to the language of symbolic logic and to
translate statements in symbolic logic into English.
5. know how to do truth tables, and do proofs in both sentential and predicate
logic.
COURSE WEBSITE: http://home.ku.edu.tr/~bozbagci/EQUR121SPRING2015.htm
TEXTBOOK: The online textbook of Gary Hardegree is available in the course
website.
COURSE DIFFICULTY AND COURSE SPEED:
Many of you will find this course quite challenging. Some of you will find it quite easy.
Logic requires an unfamiliar combination of mathematical and linguistic skills. For
some people, this combination comes easy; for others, it is a struggle.
I try to keep the course moving at an appropriate rate: I want most of you to feel
constantly challenged, but not overwhelmed. For some of you, this rate will be too
fast, and you will be overwhelmed. If this happens to you, please come get help.
Come to my office hours, make appointments with me and with the tutors.
Each week, I will post on the course website certain exercise problems from the
textbook. To succeed in this course, you need to learn the solutions to the assigned
problems. The book includes complete solutions to all the exercises.
EXAMS AND GRADING: You work will be evaluated based only on the three exams
during the semester and a final exam at the end of the semester.
Three midterm exams: (each %25)+ Final Exam: (%25)
MAKEUP POLICY: If you miss an exam with a medical excuse (and a report approved
by the university’s committee) or an excuse approved by the Dean’s Office, then you
may take the makeup exam.
CLASS CONDUCT:
(1) Cell phones and computers must be switched off and put away. You are
not to make or receive any calls, text messages, or use your tablet computers
while in class.
(2) Attendance will NOT be taken in the Lectures and Problem Sessions.
(3) Please do not be late; the lecture starts at 10 am. I have the right not to
allow a student to attend my lecture if he/she is repeatedly late.
(4) During the lecture you cannot leave the classroom unless there is a
medical emergency.