Logic and Puzzles

• Program: Summer Pre-College Courses
• Course Code: CEPL0929
• How to Apply

One Section Available to Choose From:

Course Description

In this course, we will study the fundamentals of formal logic. Logic is useful in many areas. It facilitates our understanding of mathematical proofs. It is useful in the study of natural languages. It is also a useful tool for assessing arguments we encounter in our everyday life.

This course will cover two systems of logic that every beginning logic student should know: sentential logic and predicate logic. Specific topics will include: the syntax and the semantics of both systems; validity and soundness; the tableau method; natural deduction; translation between English sentences and sentences in our formal languages. Time permitting, we will discuss other systems of logic, such as modal logic (i.e. the logic of possibility and necessity) and tense logic (i.e. the logic of time). Emphasis will be put on applying the techniques we learn to solve problems. So our approach will be guided by a series of puzzles, including various versions of the knight-knave puzzle.

By the end of this course, you will have a good understanding of sentential logic and predicate logic, and be better able to distinguish valid patterns of reasoning from the fallacious ones.

This course assumes no prerequisites. It is intended to be your first logic course, and certainly not your last one!