University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 20

ECTS credits : 10

Level : SCQF level 7

Semester: 2

Planned timetable: 5.00 pm - 6.00 pm Mon, Tue, Thu

This module introduces the essential concepts and techniques of critical reasoning, formal propositional logic, and basic predicate logic. Among the central questions are these: what distinguishes an argument from a mere rhetorical ploy? What makes an argument a good one? How can we formally prove that a conclusion follows from some premises? In addressing these questions, we will also cover topics such as argumentative fallacies, ambiguity, argument forms and analyses, induction versus deduction, counterexamples, truth-tables, truth-trees (tableaux), natural deduction, and quantification.

Relationship to other modules

Anti-requisite(s): You cannot take this module if you take PY1802

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 3 lectures and 1 tutorial.

Scheduled learning hours: 43

Guided independent study hours: 157

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: 50% Coursework; 50% exam


Re-assessment: 3-hour Written Examination = 100%

Personnel

Module coordinator: Dr M S J Bowen
Module teaching staff: Team taught
Module coordinator email msjb1@st-andrews.ac.uk

Intended learning outcomes

• Understand and evaluate the different roles that informal and formal reasoning can play, for an individual or for a group, and gain experience in constructing arguments, evaluating arguments, and responding to them.
• Evaluate informal arguments, to understand and avoid argumentative fallacies, to identify the forms of arguments, and break down a longer argument into steps that can be checked.
• Construct counterexamples to invalid arguments, and to evaluate different options for responding to counterexamples.
• Reconstruct simple arguments in sentential logic and predicate logic and prove whether they are valid or invalid.
• Use the tools of elementary formal logic, including the proof theory and semantics of propositional and first order logic.