Sweet Reason (eBook)

James M. Henle is Professor of Mathematics at Smith College. His books include Calculus: the Language of Change (with David Cohen), Infinitesimal Calculus (with Eugene Kleinberg), and An Outline of Set Theory. Jay L. Garfield is Doris Silbert Professor in the Humanities and Professor of Philosophy at Smith College, Professor in the Graduate Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Massachusetts, Professor of Philosophy at Melbourne University, and Adjunct Professor of Philosophy at the Central University of Tibetan Studies. Thomas Tymoczko was, until his death, Professor of Philosophy at Smith College. He was editor of New Directions in the Philosophy of Mathematics.

Preface xi

What Is Logic? 1

Chapter One 3

1.1 Introducing Formal Logic 4

1.2 Constants and Relations 7

1.3 Quantifiers and Variables 9

1.4 Introducing Informal Logic 11

1.5 Conclusions 13

1.6 Dialects of Logic 15

Chapter Two 18

2.1 Formal Inference 19

2.2 Informal Inference 21

2.3 Diagramming Arguments 25

2.4 Saying No 32

2.5 Metalogic 35

Chapter Three 37

3.1 Basic Sentential 37

3.2 Truth Tables 43

3.3 English to Sentential 50

3.4 Negating Statements 56

3.5 Rebutting Premises 59

3.6 Computer Logic 65

Chapter Four 69

4.1 Validity 69

4.2 The Logic of English 73

4.3 Negating Conditionals 76

4.4 Rebutting Inferences 80

4.5 The Logic of Sets 87

Chapter Five 94

5.1 Well-formed Formulas 94

5.2 The Shortcut Method 101

5.3 Local and Global 108

5.4 More on Trees 111

5.5 Rebutting Everything 115

5.6 Polish Logic 122

Chapter Six 129

6.1 Predicate 130

6.2 English to Predicate 139

6.3 Reading Between the Lines 145

6.4 Multi-valued Logic 153

Chapter Seven 162

7.1 Universes 162

7.2 Syllogisms 167

7.3 Validity 172

7.4 Diagramming Your Argument 176

7.5 Inductive Logic 187

Chapter Eight 192

8.1 Predicate Wffs 192

8.2 Outlining Your Argument 196

8.3 The Logic of Chance 205

Chapter Nine 213

9.1 Simple Deduction 213

9.2 Simple Strategy 221

9.3 Writing Your Argument 227

9.4 Basic Modal Logic 234

Chapter Ten 240

10.1 Sentential Deduction 240

10.2 Sentential Strategy 250

10.3 Arguing with Yourself 263

10.4 Sophisticated Modal Logic 279

Chapter Eleven 287

11.1 Predicate Deduction 287

11.2 Predicate Strategy 296

11.3 Why We Argue 306

11.4 Presidential Debating 310

11.5 The Logic of Paradox 315

Chapter Twelve 327

12.1 Deduction with Identity 327

12.2 Deduction, FMTYEWTK 332

12.3 Parliamentary Debating 336

12.4 Cathy, A Decade On 338

12.5 Incomplete Logic 343

What is Logic? 349

Answers to Odd-Numbered Exercises 350

Index 384

Sweet Reason pulls off the impossible: it provides a
fun-to-read but also competent introduction to logic. Students in
any discipline will find the text to be an intriguing first course
in logical theory.





J.C. Beall, University of Connecticut and University of
Otago



Introductory logic books are a dime a dozen. But this one's
different. No, really. With a unique combination of philosophical
nous, paradox, humor, and - often provocative - exercises, it
teaches the elements of both formal logic and critical reasoning.
And it shows logic as a living, breathing, evolving, stimulating,
subject. If you don't want to get interested in logic, don't use
this book.



Graham Priest, City University of New York Graduate Center



This extraordinary book, refined over the years in a very
successful course at Smith College, is unique in scope among
introductory logic texts, beginning with critical thinking, moving
through a first-rate treatment of standard propositional and
predicate logic, and introducing students along the way to a
variety of more advanced topics, including modal logic, many-valued
logics, set theory, cardinal and ordinal arithmetic, the logic of
probability, and the logic of paradox.



John Horty, University of Maryland