Logic with Trees: An Introduction to Symbolic Logic

Colin Howson0415133424, 9780415133425, 0415133416, 9780415133418, 9780203976739

Logic With Trees is a new and original introduction to modern formal logic. It contains discussions on philosophical issues such as truth, conditionals and modal logic, presenting the formal material with clarity, and preferring informal explanations and arguments to intimidatingly rigorous development. Worked examples and exercises guide beginners through the book, with answers to selected exercises enabling readers to check their progress.Logic With Trees equips students with: a complete and clear account of the truth-tree system for first order logic; the importance of logic and its relevance to many different disciplines; the skills to grasp sophisticated formal reasoning techniques necessary to explore complex metalogic; the ability to contest claims that “ordinary” reasoning is well represented by formal first order logic.

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Table of contents :
Book Cover……Page 1
Half-Title……Page 2
Title……Page 4
Copyright……Page 5
Dedication……Page 6
Contents……Page 8
Acknowledgments……Page 9
Introduction……Page 10
Part I Truth-functional logic……Page 13
1 The basics……Page 15
2 Truth trees……Page 27
3 Propositional languages……Page 43
4 Soundness and completeness……Page 59
Part II First-order logic……Page 71
5 Introduction……Page 73
6 First-order languages: syntax and two more tree rules……Page 86
7 First-order languages: semantics……Page 98
8 Soundness and completeness……Page 111
9 Identity……Page 123
10 Alternative deductive systems for first-order logic……Page 140
11 First-order theories……Page 150
12 Beyond the fringe……Page 166
Notation……Page 177
Answers to selected exercises……Page 180
References……Page 194
Name index……Page 196
Subject index……Page 199