PH419
Set Theory and Further Logic
This information is for the 2019/20 session.
Teacher responsible
Professor Miklos Redei, LAK 4.03
Availability
This course is available on the MSc in Economics and Philosophy, MSc in Philosophy of Science and MSc in Philosophy of the Social Sciences. This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.
Pre-requisites
Introductory level logic to a level equivalent to a grade of at least 65 in either Logic (PH101) or Formal Methods of Philosophical Argumentation (PH419).
Course content
The aim of the course is to familiarize students of philosophy with the essentials of naive set theory and formal logic. From set theory, the course covers (i) what is needed for use in formal reasoning, and (ii) what is of philosophical interest (Russell Paradox, elementary theory of cardinals and ordinals, transfinite induction, Axiom of Choice, Continuum Hypothesis). From logic, it begins by reviewing and extending basic material on propositional and first-order logic from both semantic and axiomatic viewpoints, continues with the basic meta theorems of first order logic (Gödel) and ends with an introduction to propositional modal logic. Throughout, a balance is sought between formal proof and intuition, as also between technical competence and conceptual reflection.
Teaching
20 hours of lectures and 10 hours of seminars in the MT. 20 hours of lectures and 10 hours of seminars in the LT.
Formative coursework
In each term, students are required to submit solutions to two problem-sets, and write one 1,500 word essay on a topic from a list or proposed by the student and approved by the instructor.
Indicative reading
Textbooks: Cameron, Peter: Sets, Logic and Categories (Springer, 1999); Sider, Theodore: Logic for Philosophy (Oxford University Press, 2010). Specific sections of these texts that are relevant to weekly topics will be indicated in the detailed course description and in the Moodle page of the course.
Additional reading: Halmos, Paul: Naive Set Theory (Springer reprint 2011); Crossley, John: What is Mathematical Logic? (Dover reprint 1991); Goble, Lou ed.: The Blackwell Guide to Philosophical Logic (Blackwell, 2001). Additional material on special topics will be made available on Moodle.
Assessment
Exam (100%, duration: 3 hours) in the summer exam period.
Student performance results
(2015/16 - 2017/18 combined)
| Classification | % of students |
|---|---|
| Distinction | 47.8 |
| Merit | 21.7 |
| Pass | 4.3 |
| Fail | 26.1 |
Key facts
Department: Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method
Total students 2018/19: 5
Average class size 2018/19: 5
Controlled access 2018/19: No
Value: One Unit
Personal development skills
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Application of numeracy skills
- Specialist skills
