PHIL 202 Introduction to Formal Logic

Formal logic is concerned with the fundamental nature of thought and reasoning. Its focus is not the meanings of sentences and arguments, but their underlying structure. In this introductory course students will learn how to symbolize and evaluate deductive arguments using the artificial and precise languages of sentential and predicate logic. The course will be of interest to anyone who wants to sharpen their logical skills and who enjoys analysis and problem-solving. The symbolization and techniques learned in the course have a valuable application beyond philosophy, to any kind of formal and systematic enquiry. No mathematical background is required to do well in this course.