Philosophical logic

Basic Information

Course modules 2024/2025
Lecturer
Sergi Oms
Tamer Nawar
Semester
2nd.
Department
Department of Philosophy
University
Universitat de Barcelona
Module
Module 7. Issues in Contemporary Theoretical and Practical Philosophy
Code
570639
Credits
5
Language
English

Dates

Schedule
Tuesdays, 15:00-16:30 & Thursdays 15:00-16:30
Location
UB Raval. Classroom: 409

Description

Discussions about ways the world might have been, what could or could not have been the case, what is contingent, possible, impossible or necessary, have evident philosophical interest in and of themselves, and play also a crucial role in many areas of philosophy. Modal logic provides the foundation for a systematic way of approaching those questions. This course provides an introduction to some of the central themes concerning the logic of necessity and possibility, the possible limitations of classical logics, and certain issues concerning conditionals, vagueness, logical consequence itself, and the normative status of logic.

Learning outcomes

  • Students should be able to critically understand central texts in logic and philosophy in a way that puts them in a position to develop and apply original ideas.
  • Students should be able to communicate their knowledge and their arguments to specialized audiences in a clear and articulate way.
  • Students should be able to work both independently and in a team in an international environment.
  • Students should be able to identify fallacies and methodological errors in reasoning.
  • Students should be able to critically engage with the concepts and methods of contemporary modal logics.
  • Students should be able to identify and critically engage with the current state of a particular philosophical debate, and form a reasoned view, even if provisional, about it.
  • Students should be able to critically use specialized terminology in the field of logic.
  • Students should be able to solve basic problems in the field of modal logic.
  • Students should be able to use different logical systems to represent knowledge.
  • Students should be able to critically reflect upon certain philosophical issues concerning logic.

Methodology

Students will read basic texts on the different topics covered. Class will be organized as lectures with time for discussion and practice with some exercises. Other exercises will be given to students as homework assignments.

Evaluation

Students will be given homework assignments. Some of them will be just for practice and others will count towards the final grade. A final essay and participation in class will also contribute to the final grade, according to the following distribution:

Homework assignments: 3 assignments worth 15% each

Essay: 45%

Participation: 10%

Bibliography

Part of the course will be based on notes and handouts made available by the instructors.

Other readings will be assigned in class.