An Introduction to Formal LogicThis is a highly accessible guide to the fundamental aims and basic elements of formal logic. Peter Smith introduces the reader to the languages of propositional and predicate logic, and then develops formal systems for evaluating arguments translated into these languages, concentrating on the easily comprehensible 'tree' method. His discussion is richly illustrated with worked examples and exercises, and also provides provides illuminating philosophical commentary. It will make an ideal text for a first logic course, and will provide a firm basis for further work in formal and philosophical logic. |
What people are saying - Write a review
Reviews aren't verified, but Google checks for and removes fake content when it's identified
LibraryThing Review
User Review - Foretopman - LibraryThingI love this book. It is written in an easy, almost conversational, style, and yet lacks nothing in formal rigor. I especially appreciate the many places where Smith points out how things could be done differently, and gives the arguments for and against each approach. Highly recommended. Read full review
User Review - Flag as inappropriate
Some explanations are drawn out, but this drawn out approach gives Smith the opportunity to repeat himself - thus making the material easier to retain. It may take me longer than other works to cover a subject, but I feel like my ability to recall the material is far better than other Formal Logic book's i've attempted to read. Also, unlike most Formal Logic texts, solutions to the many exercises are provided online.
Contents
What is logic? | 1 |
Validity and soundness | 9 |
Patterns of inference | 18 |
The counterexample technique | 29 |
Proofs | 36 |
Validity and arguments | 44 |
Logic formal and informal | 51 |
Three prepositional connectives | 53 |
After prepositional logic | 192 |
Quantifiers | 194 |
QL introduced | 202 |
QL explored | 210 |
More QL translations | 219 |
Introducing QL trees | 228 |
The syntax of QL | 242 |
Qvaluations | 250 |
The syntax of PL | 63 |
The semantics of PL | 72 |
As and Bs Ps and Qs | 82 |
Truth functions | 88 |
Tautologies | 101 |
Tautological entailment | 107 |
Propositional logic | 123 |
PLC and the material conditional | 125 |
More on the material conditional | 137 |
Introducing PL trees | 145 |
Rules for PL trees | 157 |
PLC trees | 171 |
PL trees vindicated | 179 |
Trees and proofs | 185 |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
apply argument assigns atomic wffs atoms basic branch called chapter claim closed complex conclusion conditional conjunction connectives consider constant construction contexts contradiction corresponding course deductively definition disjunction domain English entail equivalent evaluate exactly example expressions extension fact false final function further give given going Hence idea identity inference instantiate interpretation introduced invalid involving Jack Jill kind language leads least logic logicians look loves matter means natural negation object pair path pattern philosopher possible predicate premisses proof propositions q-valid q-valuation quantifiers reasoning reference relation result rules satisfiable sense sentences simple Socrates someone step Suppose symbols tautologically valid things tion translation tree true truth truth-functional truth-table truth-value turn valid valuation variables write
Bibliographic information
| Title | An Introduction to Formal Logic |
| Author | Peter Smith |
| Edition | illustrated, reprint |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press, 2003 |
| ISBN | 0521008042, 9780521008044 |
| Length | 357 pages |
| Subjects | › Mathematics / Logic Philosophy / Logic |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |