Course Syllabus

An Introduction to Non-Classical Logic

PHIL216  is an introduction to various modal logics, broadly construed. We will investigate basic modal logic, as it is commonly referred to, but will also investigate several so-called non-classical logics, including conditional logics, intuitionistic logic, many-valued logics, relevant logics and paraconsistent logics. We will use possible worlds semantics to analyse these logical systems, as well as tableaux (called truth-trees in PHIL101). Applications to metaphysics and philosophy of language will be touched upon, allowing for optional research projects. This paper will help to provide you with the philosophical and mathematical sophistication required for further logical studies at stage III.

You will learn some fundamental logical skills required to understand and study various logical systems - primarily truth-trees, meta-theoretical reasoning, and "informal" (mathematics-style) proofs with different semantic definitions. The focus will be on proving validity, and provide counter-examples for invalidity, in a range of systems.

Lecturer:

Andrew Withy
Office: 206-449 (Arts 2, level 4)
Office hours: Tuesday 11-12.

Class Rep:

Elise Gibson-Baker
Contact: egib428@aucklanduni.ac.nz

Lectures: 206-203 

Tuesday: 3pm-5pm
Wednesday: 2pm-3pm

Textbook

An Introduction to Non-Classical Logic: From If to Is - Graham Priest, Cambridge University Press, 2008. 

The textbook is absolutely essential for the course! We will follow it closely, covering one chapter every week. It will be your responsibility to go over all readings and exercises. Not all the material will be covered in lectures, and you might be assessed on content that is only available in the textbook. Similarly, some assessed material will only be covered in lectures, not the textbook. 

You can buy a copy of the textbook at the bookstore, but the university also offers you free electronic access. Consult the Reading Lists for further details. You must come to lectures, and you must do all readings and exercises. Though tutorials are advertised as 'optional', we recommend against enrolling if you can't regularly come to tutorials.

Assessment

Weekly Activities 20%

You are expected to read and think about the course material in advance, so you are prepared for the lecture. Post a discussion on ideas and problems with the reading before each lecture. Or attempt the challenge (*) exercises from the weekly reading.

There is a quiz for each week, covering material covered in class or in the corresponding chapter in the textbook. Not all material will be covered in class, and material may be covered that is not in the textbook. Some quiz questions may be about material that is only covered in the textbook, or only covered in class. It is your responsibility to come to lectures and read the textbook to make sure you are fully prepared to take quizzes. Quizzes for each week become available after the lecture, and are due just before the next lecture. Answers will become available after the quiz closes. Some quiz questions that students have struggled with may be discussed in the following lecture.

No extension will be granted on discussions or quizzes. Your lowest score for each will be dropped.

Midterm Test 30%

The midterm test has two parts. Part I is a take-home test worth 20%. The questions will be available at the end of the lecture. Part II is a multi-choice/short answer test worth 10%. It will be held during the following tutorial.  You will submit Part I when you sit Part II in the tutorial.

Exam 50%

A final exam will be held during the examination period.