This is a running list of the course topics—the chunks of presentation and discussion you will want to make sure you have notes on. Make sure, after we’ve covered each topic, you can say something about what it involves. The list might be subject to small changes as we go along, but it probably captures almost exactly our plan for the semester. The topics we cover during each class session will be listed on the main schedule.
What is symbolic logic?
Early logics
Syllogistic/Aristotelian arguments
Axiomatization and formal systems
Arguments and sentences
Truth value
Logical consequence and validity
Cases and possibility
Deductive and inductive reasoning
Sound arguments
Joint possibility (“consistency”)
Necessary truth, necessary falsehood, and contingency
Necessary equivalence
Atomic sentences
Symbolization keys
Negation
Conjunction
Disjunction
Characteristic truth tables
Conditional
Biconditional
Unless
Non-truth-functional connectives
Sentences of TFL
Bracketing conventions
Use/mention
Constructing truth tables
Using truth tables to assess logical properties of sentences
Using truth tables to assess logical properties of sets of sentences
Using truth tables to assess whether arguments are valid/invalid