Studying at the University of Verona
Here you can find information on the organisational aspects of the Programme, lecture timetables, learning activities and useful contact details for your time at the University, from enrolment to graduation.
Type D and Type F activities
This information is intended exclusively for students already enrolled in this course.If you are a new student interested in enrolling, you can find information about the course of study on the course page:
Laurea in Filosofia - Enrollment from 2025/2026Modules not yet included
Logic (p) (2018/2019)
Teaching code
4S02145
Teacher
Coordinator
Credits
6
Language
Italian
Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)
M-FIL/02 - LOGIC AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE
Period
Sem. 2A dal Feb 18, 2019 al Mar 30, 2019.
Learning outcomes
In this course you will learn how:
• To analyze and evaluate arguments
• To perform logical calculations
• To discuss philosophical problems of logic
• To use language with precision
• To compare alternative solutions for the same philosophical issue
• To appreciate logical subtleties
Program
The course is divided into three parts. In the first part we will explore the toolbox of logic: propositions and arguments. We will especially focus on what makes an argument a good one both in ordinary and in formalized language. The climax of the first part is Aristotle’s theory of syllogism. The second part will take us in the world of symbolic logic. We will introduce a more precise language and more subtle concepts such as meaning and reference. The student will learn how to use logical connectives and how to evaluate formal arguments by means of truth tables. Finally, the third part is dedicated to the calculus of predicates. We will open the black-box and enter the internal structure of a proposition. Toward the end of the course, the student will be able to follow more advance logical calculations such as natural deductions. These concepts will allow us to climb the Great Mountain: the demonstration of Gödel’s two incompleteness theorems and the appreciation of their deep philosophical meaning.
| Author | Title | Publishing house | Year | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Irving M. Copi e Carl Cohen | Introduzione alla logica | Il Mulino | 1999 | ||
| Achille Varzi, John Nolt e Dennis Rohatyn | Logica | McGraw-Hill | 2007 |
Examination Methods
As part of the examination, students are asked to write a short essay on the issues discussed in the lectures marked in red in the word version of the syllabus stored in moodle. The essay must be 3.000 words max and should be on at least one of the “assignment readings” of the chosen lecture. The English versions of the readings will be available in Moodle.
Guidelines for writing
• Use the template you find in Moodle.
• Structure your essay around one clearly formulated thesis.
• Argue carefully using textual evidence and conceptual analysis.
• Substantiate your claim by means of references.
• Pay special attention on the structure of your general argument: be careful that the reasons support your conclusion.
Assessment
The final exam will take place in written as well as in oral form. The written test consists of 10 questions so divided:
• 2 multiple-choice questions
• 2 definition questions
• 2 syllogisms
• 1 truth table + 1 natural deduction
• 2 open questions
Each question is worth 0-3 points. To sit for the oral exam you must score at least 12 points. Your final grade will be calculated as follows:
• 10% from the grade of the assignment
• 40% from the grade of the written exam
• 50% from the grade of the oral exam
