Philosophy - PHIL 247

Course Description

This course is designed to assist the student in distinguishing good and bad reasoning. The course will address both informal logic which focuses on arguments in everyday language and how to evaluate them and formal logic which focuses on symbolic language and the formal methods for determining the validity of arguments. Common logical fallacies will be outlined and attention given to arguments on contemporary issues in the public forum.

Prerequisites

(A requirement that must be completed before taking this course.)

Course Competencies

Upon successful completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• Apply basic concepts in formal logic.
• Apply basic concepts in informal logic.
• Explain the difference between deductive and inductive reasoning.
• Identify logical fallacies where they occur.
• Apply criteria necessary for a good argument.
• Recognize the rules of implication.
• Analyze extended arguments.
• Categorize different types of definitions.
• Demonstrate the ability to translate ordinary language into symbols.
• Recognize the main operator of a symbolized proposition.
• Evaluate arguments in ordinary language.
• Organize fallacies into formal and informal categories.

Course Schedule