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PH1518: LOGIC AND ARGUMENT (2022-2023)

Last modified: 20 Jun 2022 13:40


Course Overview

What makes an argument a good argument? What are the correct rules for reasoning? How do the meanings of sentences relate to each other? How can the tools of logic be used in philosophy?

This course provides an introduction to logic and tools for successfully evaluating arguments. Some of the topics covered include validity, soundness, consistency, entailment, provability, quantification, and identity. Two formal languages are introduced, the language of sentential logic and the language of quantified logic. The course develops the ability to symbolise English sentences into formal languages and to complete proofs in Natural Deduction. Logical concepts are applied to issues in philosophy of language, metaphysics, as well as philosophical puzzles and paradoxes.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 1
Term Second Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Stephan Vincent Torre

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Any Undergraduate Programme
  • Either Programme Level 1 or Programme Level 2

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

What makes an argument a good argument? What are the correct rules for reasoning? How do the meanings of sentences relate to each other? How can the tools of logic be used in philosophy?

This course provides an introduction to logic and tools for successfully evaluating arguments. Some of the topics covered include validity, soundness, consistency, entailment, provability, quantification, and identity. Two formal languages are introduced, the language of sentential logic and the language of quantified logic. The course develops the ability to symbolise English sentences into formal languages and to complete proofs in Natural Deduction. Logical concepts are applied to issues in philosophy of language, metaphysics, as well as philosophical puzzles and paradoxes.


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Take Home Exam

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 50
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Feedback provided via MyAberdeen: individual scripts scored, solution document posted and explanatory video of solutions posted. Indicative Assessment week: teaching week 7; indicative Feedback week: teaching week 10

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseDevelop critical thinking skills to understand how language and reasoning work. This will give them the skills to better evaluate real world arguments in situations ranging from politics to medicine
ConceptualEvaluateEnhance ability to clearly articulate flaws in arguments and reasoning practices. This provides students with the ability to not only get to the truth, but also the ability to help others get there
ProceduralCreateLearn how to apply abstract logical approaches to a variety of applications in diverse areas of research. Provide the foundation to apply skills developed into new areas and in their lives generally

Take Home Exam

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 50
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Feedback provided via MyAberdeen: individual scripts scored, solution document posted and explanatory video of solutions posted. Indicative Assessment week: teaching week 12; indicative Feedback week: teaching week 15

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseDevelop critical thinking skills to understand how language and reasoning work. This will give them the skills to better evaluate real world arguments in situations ranging from politics to medicine
ConceptualEvaluateEnhance ability to clearly articulate flaws in arguments and reasoning practices. This provides students with the ability to not only get to the truth, but also the ability to help others get there
ProceduralCreateLearn how to apply abstract logical approaches to a variety of applications in diverse areas of research. Provide the foundation to apply skills developed into new areas and in their lives generally

Formative Assessment

Practice test

Assessment Type Formative Weighting
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Feedback provided via MyAberdeen: solution document posted and explanatory video of solutions posted. Assessment and feedback in teaching week 11.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseDevelop critical thinking skills to understand how language and reasoning work. This will give them the skills to better evaluate real world arguments in situations ranging from politics to medicine
ConceptualEvaluateEnhance ability to clearly articulate flaws in arguments and reasoning practices. This provides students with the ability to not only get to the truth, but also the ability to help others get there
ProceduralCreateLearn how to apply abstract logical approaches to a variety of applications in diverse areas of research. Provide the foundation to apply skills developed into new areas and in their lives generally

Practice test

Assessment Type Formative Weighting
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Feedback provided via MyAberdeen: solution document posted and explanatory video of solutions posted. Assessment and feedback in teaching week 6.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseDevelop critical thinking skills to understand how language and reasoning work. This will give them the skills to better evaluate real world arguments in situations ranging from politics to medicine
ConceptualEvaluateEnhance ability to clearly articulate flaws in arguments and reasoning practices. This provides students with the ability to not only get to the truth, but also the ability to help others get there
ProceduralCreateLearn how to apply abstract logical approaches to a variety of applications in diverse areas of research. Provide the foundation to apply skills developed into new areas and in their lives generally

Resit Assessments

Take home logic exam

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 100
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualEvaluateEnhance ability to clearly articulate flaws in arguments and reasoning practices. This provides students with the ability to not only get to the truth, but also the ability to help others get there
ProceduralCreateLearn how to apply abstract logical approaches to a variety of applications in diverse areas of research. Provide the foundation to apply skills developed into new areas and in their lives generally
ConceptualAnalyseDevelop critical thinking skills to understand how language and reasoning work. This will give them the skills to better evaluate real world arguments in situations ranging from politics to medicine

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