PHI 340, Philosophical Logic

Fall 2004

Professors: Bas van Fraassen and Hans Halvorson

Lectures: Tue and Thu, 1:30-2:50pm

Description

An introduction to modal and many-valued logics, with emphasis on philosophical motivation through a study of applications and paradoxes.

Textbook

J. C. Beall and B. C. van Fraassen, Possibilities and Paradoxes: An Introduction to Modal and Many-Valued Logics. (Required for purchase)

Other readings

• B. Jack Copeland, "The genesis of possible world semantics" (Electronic Course Reserves)
• R. Grandy, "Many-valued, free, and intuitionistic logic" (ECR)
• B. Hannson and P. Gaerdenfors, "A guide to intensional semantics" (ECR)
• R. Hilpinen, "Deontic, epistemic, and temporal modal logics" (ECR)
• K. Simmons, "Semantic and logical paradoxes" (ECR)
• B. van Fraassen, "The logic of conditional obligation" (ECR)
• B. van Fraassen, "Values and the heart's command"
• B. van Fraassen, "Presupposition, implication, and self-reference" (jstor)
• B. van Fraassen, "Facts and tautological entailment"
• Herman Weyl, "The ghost of modality" (ECR)

Requirements and Grading

Exercises are to be handed in weekly. The final exam may be replaced (upon special permission by the professor) by a term paper. P/D/F is not permitted.

Schedule

Week 1

Introduction to a unified approach to modal and many-valued logic

Reading: PP, Ch. 1; Herman Weyl, "The ghost of modality"

Weeks 2-3

Logics and languages: semantic concepts, consequence relations

Reading: PP, Chs. 2-3

Weeks 4-6

The normal modal logics, proof techniques and intuitive semantics

Reading: PP, Chs. 4-5; B. Jack Copeland, "The genesis of possible world semantics"

Weeks 7-8

Variations: non-normal modalities, intuitionistic logic, and logic of conditionals, deontic logic

Reading: PP, Ch. 6; R. Hilpinen, "Deontic, epistemic, and temporal modal logics"; B. van Fraassen, "The logic of conditional obligation" and "values and the heart's command"

Week 9

Philosophical motivations for many-valued logic

Reading: PP, Ch. 7; R. Grandy, "Many-valued, free, and intuitionistic logic"; B. van Fraassen, "Presupposition, implication, and self-reference"

Weeks 10-11

Relevance logic, and the logic of paradox

Reading: PP, Ch. 8; K. Simmons, "Semantic and logical paradoxes"; B. van Fraassen, "Facts and tautological entailment"

Week 12

Some metatheorems and their philosophical significance

Reading: PP, selections from Chs. 11-12.