Introduction to Formal Logic
A key notion of analytic philosophy is the idea of a deductively valid argument (e.g. All men are mortal; Socrates is a man; so, Socrates is mortal). We can ask about the validity of arguments in natural languages (such as English); but this is likely to be imprecise and intuitive. However, we can also construct artificial (but precise) formal languages, and ask precise questions about the validity of arguments in those formal languages. Learn about different types of logic including Truth-Functional logic and First-Order Logic, a key tenet of any philosophy degree.
Host: Viktor is currently undertaking a PhD in Computational Cognitive Science at UCL, funded by the Wellcome trust, as part of the Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme for the Ecological Study of the Brain. This followed a highly successful undergraduate degree in Philosophy at the University of Cambridge and Master's in Cognitive and Decision Sciences at UCL. Viktor's particular research interests lie in the theoretical background and practical implications which lie at the intersection between Linguistics, Cognitive Neuroscience and Philosophy. Viktor has been recipient of several awards for his exceptional academic performance, including scholarships for his Cambridge undergraduate and a full scholarship for his Master's studies, awarded by the German government's excellency scheme. He is also a published philosopher, with papers published in four academic journals.
Duration: Suggested 1-2 hours, dependent on the level of detail desired.
A key notion of analytic philosophy is the idea of a deductively valid argument (e.g. All men are mortal; Socrates is a man; so, Socrates is mortal). We can ask about the validity of arguments in natural languages (such as English); but this is likely to be imprecise and intuitive. However, we can also construct artificial (but precise) formal languages, and ask precise questions about the validity of arguments in those formal languages. Learn about different types of logic including Truth-Functional logic and First-Order Logic, a key tenet of any philosophy degree.
Host: Viktor is currently undertaking a PhD in Computational Cognitive Science at UCL, funded by the Wellcome trust, as part of the Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme for the Ecological Study of the Brain. This followed a highly successful undergraduate degree in Philosophy at the University of Cambridge and Master's in Cognitive and Decision Sciences at UCL. Viktor's particular research interests lie in the theoretical background and practical implications which lie at the intersection between Linguistics, Cognitive Neuroscience and Philosophy. Viktor has been recipient of several awards for his exceptional academic performance, including scholarships for his Cambridge undergraduate and a full scholarship for his Master's studies, awarded by the German government's excellency scheme. He is also a published philosopher, with papers published in four academic journals.
Duration: Suggested 1-2 hours, dependent on the level of detail desired.
A key notion of analytic philosophy is the idea of a deductively valid argument (e.g. All men are mortal; Socrates is a man; so, Socrates is mortal). We can ask about the validity of arguments in natural languages (such as English); but this is likely to be imprecise and intuitive. However, we can also construct artificial (but precise) formal languages, and ask precise questions about the validity of arguments in those formal languages. Learn about different types of logic including Truth-Functional logic and First-Order Logic, a key tenet of any philosophy degree.
Host: Viktor is currently undertaking a PhD in Computational Cognitive Science at UCL, funded by the Wellcome trust, as part of the Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme for the Ecological Study of the Brain. This followed a highly successful undergraduate degree in Philosophy at the University of Cambridge and Master's in Cognitive and Decision Sciences at UCL. Viktor's particular research interests lie in the theoretical background and practical implications which lie at the intersection between Linguistics, Cognitive Neuroscience and Philosophy. Viktor has been recipient of several awards for his exceptional academic performance, including scholarships for his Cambridge undergraduate and a full scholarship for his Master's studies, awarded by the German government's excellency scheme. He is also a published philosopher, with papers published in four academic journals.
Duration: Suggested 1-2 hours, dependent on the level of detail desired.
