Learn how to use logic to evaluate arguments and discover more about philosophical concepts like truth-tables and logical form. Understand and evaluate arguments using philosophical theory. If you believe Mickey is a big mouse and Dumbo is a small elephant, then you must also believe that Mickey is a mouse and Dumbo is an elephant. But, do you believe that Mickey is bigger than Dumbo? On this course, you’ll consider the logic behind this argument and explore the concept that when something is true, other things have to be true too.
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You’ll discover logical reasoning theory and explore the vital role words like and, or, not, and if play in making good or bad arguments.
You’ll also learn how philosophers use a formal language to assess arguments and look closely at how our everyday language and thinking works.
What topics will you cover?
- How to use formal logic as a tool to clarify and evaluate arguments
- Identifying the premises and conclusions of arguments;
- Applying the philosophical concepts of ‘truth-value’, ‘validity’, ‘logical form’, ‘sentence connective’ and ‘truth-function’;
- Using truth-tables to work out the truth-values of compound sentences
- Using truth-tables to test arguments for validity;
- Exploring the relationship between formal logical language and natural language
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Evaluate arguments (chains of reasoning) using a formal language as a tool
- Apply an understanding of the concept of validity in evaluating arguments
- Explore the relationships between formal languages and everyday or ‘natural’ languages
- Apply an understanding of the idea of a formal language — a specially created language with key vocabulary having carefully specified precise meanings — in analysing and understanding claims expressed in everyday language
Who is the course for?
The course is primarily designed for those studying philosophy, maths, or science at A-level or university.
The course will also be of interest to anyone who’d like to learn more about these subjects and the systematic study of good and bad reasoning
Learners require a basic understanding of formal logic and a keen interest to learn.
