PHIL1006 - Elementary Logic

Course coordinator: Patrick Hawley

Course tutors: Lam Ka Ho (lamkahohku.hk), Yeung Wang Chun (hkericclaptongmail.com), Barbara Dalle Pezze (dr.dphkgmail.com)

Welcome to the Elementary Logic course web site. The aim of this course is to provide a very basic introduction to logic, and to show how logic can be used in the analysis of arguments. No prior knowledge of logic or mathematics is required. The course is suitable for students of all faculties. Whatever your background, good training in logic should improve your ability to think clearly, rationally and systematically.

Announcements

1 August 2009: In the academic year 2009-10, this course is offered in the second semester.

3 February: Problem Set 1 is now available. Click here. The problem set is due on 10 February.

26 February: Reminder: Midterm test next week, Tuesday 2 March, 10-11am, Meng Wah 1, 3 and 4

26 February: Problem Set 1 has now been graded. You can pick up your problem set from Ms Loletta Li in room 312 of the Main Building.

26 February: answers to Problem Set 1 are now available. Click here.

1 March: Reminder: The midterm test for PHIL 1006 is tomorrow, 2 March, 10:00am-11:00am, T1, T3 and T4 Meng Wah Complex. Students will be divided into three groups for the midterm, by id number. If your number is less than 2009075500, you should go to T1 Meng Wah. If your number is between 2009075500 and 2009262000, you should go to T3 Meng Wah. If your number is greater then 2009262000, you should go to T4 Meng Wah.

18 March: The Midterm test has now been graded. You can pick it up from Ms Loletta Li.

25 March: answers to the Midterm are now available. Click here for version A and here for version B.

7 April: Problem Set 2 is now available. Click here. The problem set is due on 14 April.

27 April: The final examination will take place on Wednesday 5 May from 2:30 to 3:30 pm at the Flora Ho Sports Center.

27 April: answers to Problem Set 2 are now available. Click here.

Important Facts

• Online : All the material for this course is online. This web page will link to everything you need.
• Self-study : There are no lectures and no tutorials.
• Password : No password is needed to read the course materials.
• Credit : This is a 3 credit-unit course.
• Getting help : Check the Elementary Logic FAQ. Or post your question to the online discussion forum. Your questions are welcomed and will be answered promptly.
• Getting more help : If you need more help, send email to the tutor to set up an appointment.
• Test : A one hour Midterm Test will be held during Reading Week on Tuesday 2 March, 10:00am-11:00am, in T1, T3 and T4 Meng Wah Complex. The Midterm Test is worth 30% of your grade. There will be no makeup Midterm. If you cannot attend the Midterm, then you should not take this course.
• Exam : There will be a one hour Final Exam during the Final Exam period. The Final Exam is worth 40% of your grade.
• Problem sets : There are two problem sets. Each problem set is worth 15% of your grade.
• Talking : You are permitted to discuss the problem sets with others. However, you must write the problem sets by yourself. You are not permitted to copy another person's problem set.
• Copying : If you copy your problem set from another person, then you are cheating. If you permit your problem set to be copied, then you are cheating. If you cheat, then you will be severely punished.
• Late : Late problem sets will be penalized. The grade will be lowered 10% for each day late.
• Drop : We do not permit students to drop the course after the add/drop period.

Dates

• Wednesday 3 February, Problem Set 1 available
• Wednesday 10 February, Problem Set 1 due
• Friday 26 February, Problem Set 1 returned
• Tuesday 2 March, Reading Week, Midterm Test, 10:00am-11:00am, T1, T3 and T4 Meng Wah Complex
• Wednesday 7 April, Problem Set 2 available
• Wednesday 14 April, Problem Set 2 due
• Friday 23 April, Problem Set 2 returned
• Wednesday 5 May, Final exam, 2:30-3:30pm Flora Ho Sports Center

Study schedule

Topic 1 : Validity

• Topic L1 : What is Logic?
• Topic L2 : Statements
• Topic L3 : Avoiding ambiguity
• Topic A01 : Identifying arguments
• Topic A02 : Validity and soundness
• Topic A03 : Patterns of valid arguments
• Topic A04 : Hidden assumptions in arguments
• Topic A06 : Good arguments

Topic 2 : Sentential Logic

• Topic SL01 : Introduction to Sentential Logic
• Topic SL02 : Well-formed formula in SL
• Topic SL03 : Truth-tables for SL connectives
• Topic SL04 : More complicated truth-tables
• Topic SL05 : Logical properties and relations
• Topic SL06 : Formalization in SL
• Exercise 1.3 at http://logic.tamu.edu/cgi-bin/quizmaster
• Topic SL07 : The full truth-table method
• Topic SL08 : The indirect method
• Topic SL09 : "If...then..." and the material conditional
• Topic SL10 : The limitations of Sentential Logic

Topic 3 : Predicate Logic

• Topic MPL01 : Predicate logic: the basic idea
• Topic MPL02 : Quantifiers
• Topic MPL03 : The formal system MPL
• Topic MPL04 : MPL interpretation
• Topic MPL05 : Validity in MPL

FAQ