A Concise Introduction to Logic
Reviewed by John O'Connor, Associate Professor, Colorado State University - Pueblo on 2/1/18
Comprehensiveness
This text provides a thorough and responsible introduction to symbolic logic from sentential calculus through first-order predicate logic with identity and its application to specific numbers in arguments. While there is no index, this is hardly necessary in a digital text. In place of a glossary, the text offers a very effective and detailed summary section for each of the two logical languages developed.
Content Accuracy
I found no errors or biases in the text; it accurately presents its field of logic. Potential readers should be aware, though, that this is a text in symbolic / deductive logic, as such it reflects the conscious decision to exclude informal logic. Closely related to this is the equating of ‘good argument’ with ‘valid argument’ (using the traditional definition of the latter). A ’bad argument’ is, then, simply any invalid argument. While that's fine given that the text concerns only deductive logic, students or faculty expecting discussion of a wider range of logical ‘goodness’ (e.g. strength) may find this jarring.
Relevance/Longevity
The portion of logic introduced by this text is very stable. The systems presented are up-to-date and necessary revisions to the core ideas and techniques are unlikely for some time.
Clarity
The text is well-designed and clearly written for its intended audience. For instance, most of the major concepts are introduced through discussion of concrete examples from the history of philosophy and science. The author is thus able to introduce concepts and techniques while demonstrating their value. Furthermore, instead of burdening the main text with sidebars or esoteric developments of the material, the author relegates these to footnotes, where they are no doubt useful to more advanced students without risking distracting the less well-prepared.
Consistency
This is a text in logic; as such it makes a virtue of its consistency.
Modularity
This text is as modular as a systematic introduction to logic can be. One could, for instance, teach/learn the sentential calculus on its own. That said, the nature of the discipline requires careful sequencing of material. A modular deductive logic text is unlikely to be as usable as this text. Furthermore, it is not clear that rearranging the material would be helpful. For logic, I’d call this a feature, not a bug.
Organization/Structure/Flow
In addition to the expected logical sequencing mentioned above, this text presents its material against the backdrop of history. Frederick Douglass, Hobbes, Socrates/Plato, Aristotle, Galileo, Hume, Frege, Russell, Peano, Meinong, Tarski and Carnap all make an appearance. Many students will find this structure helpful in putting flesh on the logical bones.
Interface
I found no problems with the interface, navigation or text/image rendering in the pdf version of the text (the only version I read). Any reader comfortable navigating pdf files should have no concerns.
Grammatical Errors
The text is written in student-approachable professional English. I found no grammatical or typpgraphical errors.
Cultural Relevance
I do not think the content or its presentation is likely to be found culturally insensitive or offensive at all (disclosure: I am a Caucasian male). That said, with only a single exception that I could find (Frederick Douglass) the historical examples are representative of the European male dominated philosophical canon.