Introduction To Logic I
- Arts
- 100 level
- 2 credit units
- 145 pages
- 12 units
This course introduces the fundamental principles of logic, focusing on reasoning, argumentation, and validity. It explores the subject matter of logic, including arguments, premises, and conclusions. Students will learn to distinguish arguments from non-arguments, analyze argument structures, and evaluate deductive and inductive reasoning. The course also covers categorical propositions, their structure, class interpretation, and immediate inferences. Emphasis is placed on developing critical thinking skills and applying logical principles to real-world scenarios.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 40 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, problem solving
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor Marked Assessments
- Final Examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of PHL105, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
PHL105 · Unit 2 Subject matter of Logic and its Components
This study unit introduces you to the various subject matter of logic and its components. The unit focuses on arguments as the distinctive subject matter of logic, premises and conclusion as the components of an arguments and on the words or phrases that helps in identifying the premises and conclusion of an argument.
What you should be able to do
- Understand the basic principles of logic
- Analyze and construct arguments
- Distinguish between deductive and inductive reasoning
- Apply tests of validity and soundness
- Translate ordinary language into logical forms
What it prepares you for
- Critical Thinking Analyst
- Policy Analyst
- Legal Analyst
- Researcher
- Educator
- Law
- Education
- Politics
- Research
- Business
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 2:
Unit 3: Logical Form and Formal Validity
Requires understanding of abstract logical forms and their application to diverse arguments.
- Module 3: Categorical Propositions
Unit 2: Reduction of Ordinary Language Expressions into Standard Form Categorical Propositions
Involves understanding the nuances of language and accurately translating them into standard categorical forms.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 39 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Nature and Basic Principles of Logic
Unit 1: Meaning and Subject Matter of Logic · 3 hours
Understand the meaning of logic and its importance.. Identify the subject matter of logic and its components.. Differentiate between premises and conclusion..
- Week 2Module 1: Nature and Basic Principles of Logic
Unit 2: Subject matter of Logic and its Components · 3 hours
Analyze arguments into premises and conclusion.. Identify premise and conclusion identifiers.. Understand the role of inferences in arguments..
- Week 3Module 1: Nature and Basic Principles of Logic
Unit 3: Arguments · 3 hours
Analyze the structure of arguments.. Distinguish between statements and other expressions.. Diagrammatically analyze argument structures..
- Week 4Module 1: Nature and Basic Principles of Logic
Unit 4: Distinguishing Non-Arguments from Arguments · 3 hours
Differentiate arguments from non-arguments.. Identify typical argumentative look-alikes.. Understand the characteristics of emotional discourse, commands, and explanations..
- Week 5Module 2:
Unit 1: Types of Arguments · 3 hours
Classify arguments into deductive and inductive types.. Distinguish between deductive and inductive inferences.. Evaluate arguments in different contexts..
- Week 6Module 2:
Unit 2: Standards of Tests for Arguments · 3 hours
Apply validity and soundness tests to deductive arguments.. Apply reliability and strength tests to inductive arguments.. Differentiate between valid and sound arguments..
- Week 7Module 2:
Unit 3: Logical Form and Formal Validity · 3 hours
Understand the concept of logical form.. Identify valid and invalid arguments by examining their logical form.. Recognize logic as a science of formal validity..
- Week 8Module 3: Categorical Propositions
Unit 1: Meaning and Structure of Categorical Propositions · 3 hours
Understand the meaning and structure of categorical propositions.. Identify the subject term, predicate term, copula, and quantifier.. Recognize standard-form categorical propositions..
- Week 9Module 3: Categorical Propositions
Unit 2: Reduction of Ordinary Language Expressions into Standard Form Categorical Propositions · 3 hours
Reduce ordinary language expressions into standard form categorical propositions.. Reformulate expressions without distorting their meaning.. Apply rules of thumb for reducing non-standard forms..
- Week 10Module 3: Categorical Propositions
Unit 3: Class Interpretation of Categorical Propositions · 3 hours
Understand the existential import of categorical propositions.. Use Venn diagrams to interpret standard-form categorical propositions.. Express categorical propositions in terms of class membership..
- Week 11Module 4: Categorical Inferences
Unit 1: Immediate Inference · 3 hours
Understand immediate inference.. Apply conversion and obversion techniques.. Perform other combinations of conversion and obversion..
- Week 12Module 4: Categorical Inferences
Unit 2: Immediate Inference: Logical Relation of Opposition · 3 hours
Understand the opposition of propositions.. Apply the traditional square of opposition.. Determine the truth value of propositions based on their relations..
- Week 13Module 4: Categorical Inferences
Unit 3: Immediate Inference by Converse Relation · 3 hours
Understand and distinguish the three logical properties of relation.. Differentiate ordinary from relational conversion.. Make both ordinary and relational converse inferences..
Preparing for the exam
- Review all Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs) and their solutions.
- Create concept maps linking key concepts from Modules 1-4.
- Practice identifying premises and conclusions in sample arguments.
- Focus on understanding the differences between deductive and inductive reasoning.
- Study the rules for converting ordinary language into standard categorical forms.
- Memorize the traditional square of opposition and its implications.
- Practice applying Venn diagrams to test the validity of categorical syllogisms.
Questions students ask about this course
What is PHL105 about?
This course introduces the fundamental principles of logic, focusing on reasoning, argumentation, and validity. It explores the subject matter of logic, including arguments, premises, and conclusions. Students will learn to distinguish arguments from non-arguments, analyze argument structures, and evaluate deductive and inductive reasoning. The course also covers categorical propositions, their structure, class interpretation, and immediate inferences. Emphasis is placed on developing critical thinking skills and applying logical principles to real-world scenarios.
How many units does PHL105 have?
PHL105, Introduction To Logic I, has 12 units across 4 modules, over 145 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is PHL105?
PHL105 carries 2 credit units, at 100 level in Arts.
Is PHL105 hard?
PHL105 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and problem solving work.
How long does PHL105 take to study?
About 40 hours of study, spread across its 12 units.
How is PHL105 assessed?
PHL105 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assessments and Final Examination.
What can I do with PHL105?
Critical Thinking Analyst, Policy Analyst, Legal Analyst, Researcher and Educator.