An Introduction to Logic: From Everyday Life to Formal Systems

• Table of Contents
• Introduction: Language and Rationality
• Chapter 1: The Structure of Arguments
• Chapter 2: Classical Logic
• Chapter 3: Categorical Inferences
• Chapter 4: Modern Logic
• Chapter 5: Applications of Modern Logic
• Chapter 6: Inductive Inferences
• Chapter 7: Informal Fallacies

An introduction to the discipline of logic covering subjects from the structures of arguments, classical and modern logic, categorical and inductive inferences, to informal fallacies.

• Over 30 years of development provides a sound empirical based pedagogy throughout the text.

• Examples in ordinary language using familiar examples avoids the suggestion of an alien cultural imposition.

• A focus on the basic representational techniques of classical and modern logic.

• Students introduced to basic concepts of set theory, using Venn diagrams to represent statements and evaluate arguments.

• Students introduced to basic concepts of propositional logic and the use of truth-tables.

• Students introduced to basic concepts of predicate logic and the use of mixed quantifiers.

• Students introduced to the relationship between logic diagrams, circuit diagrams, and gate diagrams in computer science.

• Students introduced to the use of logic in ordinary and scientific contexts.

• Students provided a historical introduction to the development of modern probability theory and its relationship to logic.

• Students introduced to basic concepts of statistical inference, with non-technical treatments of hasty and biased statistical generalizations. And a unique treatment of stereotypical thinking in terms of statistical syllogisms.

• Students introduced to basic notions in analogical and causal inference.

• Exercises requiring both passive (recognition) and active (construction) skills.

• Exercises including locutions and examples from standard English and ethnic dialects of English (African-American, Hispanic-American, etc)

• Answers for sample exercises provided, making the text closer to a self-teaching module