Logic

elective courses

20 h lecture.

The course offers an introduction to modern logic, with its distinctive methods and applications. It is to be presented how to construct definitions and classifications, how to distinguish vague utterances from claims, justified from unwarranted beliefs, and sound from unsound arguments. Symbolic logic of propositional and predicate calculus will be studied. We also provide basic notions of set theory.

Teaching methods applied; lecture, discussion, problem solving exercises, discussions, case analyses etc. At the end of every lecture a few questions or issues concerning the content of the lecture will be given to be solved by yourself

Description of the substantive content;

The course offers an introduction to modern logic, with its distinctive methods and applications. The focus of the course are the topics that are useful for every researcher within social sciences or humanities. The main goal of the course is to equip students with logical tools for assessing validity and soundness of arguments, developing valid arguments, critically analysing utterances as well as recognising and overcoming logical fallacies appearing in language. Moreover, students will be introduced to the applications of logic that refer directly to scientific investigation, e.g. classification and validity of definitions, questions and answers, kinds of reasonings appearing in science and their cognitive features, creating external reality with language (performatives) or conveying ‘hidden’ content (conversational implicatures). Within the course more attention will be paid to acquiring and exercising above mentioned skills, and less to getting familiar with technical and formal aspects of logic — the latter will be introduced to students to the extent that is necessary for learning those skills.

List of the subject-related literature;

K. Paprzycka, Logic Self-Taught. A Workbook,

M. Omyła, Zarys logiki

B. Stanosz, Ćwiczenia z logiki,

J. Jadacki, Spór o granice języka

Szymanek, Wieczorek, Wójcik, Sztuka argumentacji,

T. Hołówka, Kultura logiczna w przykładach,

B. Stanosz, Wprowadzenie do logiki formalnej. Podręcznik dla humanistów,

K. Wieczorek, Wprowadzenie do logiki dla studentów wszystkich kierunków

R. L. Epstein, Five ways of saying ‘Therefore”

R. L. Epstein, Propositional logics

G. Forbes, Modern Logic. A Text in Elementary Symbolic Logic

1. give the conditions of valid arguments, correct definitions and classifications

2. analyze and evaluate arguments

3. analyze and evaluate definitions

4. analyze and evaluate classifications

5. distinguish clams from syntactically or semantically defect utterance

6. recognize common fallacies in argumentations

Final exam (multiple-choice test). Class attendance is required and will be checked. Regular class attendance is a necessary condition for being admitted to the final written exam. The second necessary condition is writing an essay (max. 1000 words) on one of topics that will be given during 8th lecture.

Description of requirements related to participation in classes, including the permitted number of explained absences;

Permitted number of absences - 2

Final exam (written). Class attendance is required and will be checked. Regular class attendance is a necessary condition for being admitted to the final written exam.

Methods for the verification of learning outcomes;

Active participation in discussion in class. It is required to come well prepared to class and to contribute actively to problem solving exercises, discussions, case analyses etc. Final written exam.