PHBL1 Informal Logic I

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
prof. PhDr. BcA. Jiří Raclavský, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. PhDr. BcA. Jiří Raclavský, Ph.D.
Department of Philosophy – Faculty of Arts
Supplier department: Department of Philosophy – Faculty of Arts
Prerequisites
No special presuppositions.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
(1) Acquiring the essential notions of modern (formal) logic, in particular, propositional logic (both classical and nonclassical), see Course Contents for details.
(2) Most of the course is an application of (selected parts of) mathematical logic on natural language, i.e. on everyday rational reasoning.
(3) Some lectures focus on theory (e.g. syntax/semantics of propositional logic, paradoxes), and some lectures focus on solutions of practical problems (e.g. equivalences/negations of propositions/formulas, arguments checking, natural deduction).
Learning outcomes
(1) Acquiring the essential notions of formal logic, in particular, (classical) propositional logic, see Course Contents for details.
(2) Increasing critical thinking and logical reasoning.
(3) Acquiring skills in the representation of knowledge (natural language processing) and reasoning in the sense of AI, computer science, formal semantics, analytic philosophy etc.
(4) Exercising analytical and algorithmic thinking, both on natural and formal examples.
(5) Acquiring the essential knowledge about logic (from the viewpoint of humanities).
Syllabus
  • (1) Logic as a science of logical consequence.
  • (2) Paradoxes.
  • (3) Truth-functions.
  • (4) Formal language. Well-formed formulas.
  • (5) Tautologies.
  • (6) Equivalences and negations.
  • (7) Logical consequence.
  • (8) Non-classical logics.
  • (9) Axiomatization and formal proofs.
  • (10) Natural deduction.
  • (11) Semantic tableaux.
  • (12) Philosophy of logics.
Literature
    recommended literature
  • Relevantní hesla zejm. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (např. Fallacies, Interpretations of Probability, Logic and Probability, Inductive Logic, Bayes’ Theorem, Decision Theory, Game theory, Scientific method)
  • HURLEY, Patrick J. A concise introduction to logic. 11th ed., international ed. Australia: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2012, xxi, 706. ISBN 9781111185893. info
    not specified
  • RUSSELL, Stuart J. and Peter NORVIG. Artificial intelligence : a modern approach. Edited by Ming-Wei Chang - Jacob Devlin - Anca Dragan - David Forsyth - Ian Good. Fourth edition, global editi. Harlow: Pearson, 2022, 1166 stran. ISBN 9781292401133. info
  • PINKER, Steven. Rationality : what it is, why it seems scarce, why it matters. First published. [London]: Penguin Books, 2022, xv, 412. ISBN 9780141989860. info
  • YATES, Kit. Matematika pro život. Translated by Marek Pechal. Vydání první. Praha: Kniha Zlin, 2021, 318 stran. ISBN 9788076621121. info
  • HAUSMAN, Alan, Frank BOARDMAN and Howard KAHANE. Logic and philosophy : a modern introduction. Thirteenth edition. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, Inc., 2020, xiii, 447. ISBN 9781624669354. info
  • SINNOTT-ARMSTRONG, Walter and Robert J. FOGELIN. Understanding arguments : an introduction to informal logic. Ninth edition. Stamford: Cengage Learning, 2015, xvi, 510. ISBN 9781285197364. info
  • CRYAN, Dan, Sharron SHATIL and Bill MAYBLIN. Introducing logic. London: Icon Books Ltd, 2013, 175 stran. ISBN 9781848310124. info
  • DEVLIN, Keith J. Jazyk matematiky : jak zviditelnit neviditelné. Translated by Jan Švábenický. 2. vyd. v českém jazyce. Praha: Dokořán, 2011, 343 s. ISBN 9788025704943. info
  • PRIEST, Graham. Logic : a very short introduction. 1st pub. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000, xii, 140. ISBN 9780192893208. info
Teaching methods
Classes + exercises. E-learning (homeworks).
Assessment methods
(1) REGULAR HOMEWORKS. Condition required before the exam: During the semester, at least 80 % of regular e-tests (every week 1-2) must be successfully completed (each e-test must receive at least 80 % of points).
(2) FINAL EXAM. An e-test via computer. The questions are similar to those from homeworks. (For few, the exam is not required; they successfully pass if filling the homeworks.) For A mark approx. 80 % of questions must be correctly answered.
(3) BONUS. Each lecture starts with a short quiz on the topic of the lecture. Those attending the lectures receive extra points from answering the quizzes - the points serve for increasing the mark from the final e-test/exam.
Náhradní absolvování
Combined students (students on foreign stay, long-termed ill, ...): contact the teacher for details and agreement, self-study of materials from Interactive syllabi, and filling regular homeworks. Attendance to classes brings surplus points, but the minimum required points can be gathered without attendance from homeworks.
Language of instruction
Czech
Follow-Up Courses
Study support
https://is.muni.cz/auth/el/phil/jaro2025/PHBL1/index.qwarp
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
General note: Pro studenty kombinovaného studijního programu je doporučeno zapsat si současně předmět PHV2451 Logika I: otázky a odpovědi.
Information on the extent and intensity of the course: kombinovaná forma: 16 hodin/semestr.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
Teacher's information
http://www.phil.muni.cz/~raclavsky/logika/
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2019, Autumn 2020, Autumn 2021, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2023.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2025, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/spring2025/PHBL1