Reasoning, Argument, and Logic

Code

PHIL1012

School

Philosophy

Level

1

Credits

20

Semesters

Full Year UK

Summary

This module introduces a series of key skills relevant to the aims and methods of philosophical inquiry. It is designed to
(a) help students to understand the nature and structure of arguments,
(b) acquire critical tools for assessing the arguments of others,
(c) improve their ability to present their own reasoning in a clear and rigorous manner, particularly in essays, and
(d) supply the basic minimum knowledge of logic and its technical vocabulary which every philosophy student requires.

Topics covered are expected to include:

• basic logical concepts (such as validity, soundness, and consistency),
• identifying and reconstructing arguments,
• valid and invalid arguments,
• argument forms and fallacies,
• different types of reasoning (e.g., deductive, inductive, and inference to the best explanation),
• definitions and counterexamples,
• and essay structure and other essay writing skills.

In the later portion of the module students will also be introduced to the symbolism of modern logic, practise using that symbolism to represent sentences of English, and gain a basic knowledge of some of the formal methods and tools employed in modern logic and their relevance to philosophical inquiry.

Target Students

First year single honours and joint honours Philosophy students, including Liberal Arts students. Also available to subsidiary students from other Schools and exchange students.

Classes

• One 1-hour seminar each week for 10 weeks
• One 2-hour lecture each week for 10 weeks
• One 1-hour lecture each week for 10 weeks

Lectures: Weekly, but the duration of the lecture will alternate between 1 hour and 2 hours. Seminars: Fortnightly, with the seminars occurring in the weeks when the lecture is 1 hour rather than 2 hours.

Assessment

• 100% Exam (2-hour): One 2 hour Exam

Assessed by end of spring semester

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

It is expected that by the end of this module, students will have:

• developed the abilities to: read, summarise and analyse philosophical texts in a critical manner; formulate, assess, and critically engage with arguments; present ideas systematically, and in accordance with best academic practice; logically analyse arguments and positions; recognise and construct sound arguments; 

• gained an understanding of the symbolism of modern logic and be fluent in 'translating' between English and that symbolism; be familiar with the technical logical vocabulary which pervades modern philosophy; gained a basic knowledge of some of the formal methods and tools employed in modern logic and their relevance to philosophical inquiry, including an appreciation of the ways in which formal methods can help to clarify the structure of arguments expressed in ordinary language.

Conveners

• Dr Karl Egerton
• Callum Duguid