In this course, students should learn how to identify arguments, some common fallacies, term logic, sentential logic, and some understanding of inductive arguments. There will be a few tests and weekly and daily exercises. In this course, students should learn how to identify arguments, some common fallacies, term logic, sentential logic, and some understanding of inductive arguments. There will be a few tests and weekly and daily exercises. The student is introduced to the basic features of symbolic logic and to some aspects of informal logic.
Attention is given to the practical importance of improving one's reasoning abilities.
Ancient Greek Philosophy . The class will focus on the philosophy of Plato and Aristotle. In Plato, we will read widely in the early, middle, and late dialogues with special emphasis on the Republic and the Theaetetus. In Aristotle we will read from a wide variety of his works, with special emphasis on the Physics, De Anima, the Nichomachean Ethics, and the Politics. This course will include a fairly brief general overview of topics in metaphysics including the nature of reality, the essential features of human nature, and free will, but the focus of the course will be on the nature of human consciousness.