Philosophy 254: Symbolic Logic is an introduction to reasoning in formal symbolic logic. We will cover the syntax and semantics of classical sentential and predicate logic, translation of English sentences into symbolic form, and procedures for evaluating sentences and arguments, principally natural deduction.
Outline
This course is divided into nine units:
Unit 1: Introduction to Deductive Logic
Unit 2: The Language SL
Unit 3: Truth Tables
Unit 4: The System SD
Unit 5: Using SD for Fun and Profit
Unit 6: SD+
Unit 7: PL
Unit 8: Informal Semantics for PL
Unit 9: PD and PD+
Learning outcomes
Philosophy 254: Symbolic Logic is an introductory course in the formal techniques of argument analysis and evaluation. When you have completed PHIL 254, you should be able to:
Symbolize English sentences and arguments using symbolic notation
Use truth tables to evaluate for formal logical properties such as entailment and consistency
Construct derivations to show that arguments in sentential and predicate logic are valid
Construct interpretations for predicate logic to demonstrate properties such as consistency and invalidity
Evaluation
Your final mark in PHIL 254 will be based on five equally weighted assignments and a final assessment. To receive credit for this course, you must complete every assignment and the final assessment, receiving an average grade of D (50 percent) on this work. All assignments are graded out of 100 percent.
Activity
Weight
Complete by
Assignment 1
12%
After Unit 3
Assignment 2
12%
After Unit 5
Assignment 3
12%
After Unit 6
Assignment 4
12%
After Unit 8
Assignment 5
12%
After Unit 9
Final Assessment
40%
After completion of all course units and assignments
Total
100%
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Bergmann, Merrie, James Moor, and Jack Nelson. The Logic Book. 6th ed. Columbus, OH: McGraw-Hill, 2014. (eText)
Other Materials
All other materials are available online.
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the PHIL 254 challenge registration, you must achieve an overall grade of at least D (50 percent).
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized study counterparts.