Online Class: Introduction to Logic

Explore the profound intricacies of logic, a field that shapes our understanding of rationality and truth across cultures and time. This course unravels the nuances of different reasoning types, offering insights into historical and modern schools of thought while making complex ideas accessible.
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  • 15
    Lessons
  • 23
    Exams &
    Assignments
  • 1,931
    Students
    have taken this course
  • 7
    Hours
    average time
  • 0.7
    CEUs
 
 
 

Course Description

Embark on the Enigmatic Odyssey of Logic

Long before mankind gazed at the stars through telescopes, endeavoring to unravel the mysteries of the cosmos, or embarked on perilous journeys to uncover Earth's hidden secrets, there was an academic pursuit that captivated inquisitive minds: the profound examination of logic. In an era where deities were believed to reign supreme from the lofty peaks, this ancient discipline sought to decipher the code of rationality that underpins our very existence.

Today, in our modern lexicon, 'logic' is often perceived merely as a synonym for common sense or rationality. However, the realm of logic is much richer, far-reaching, and profound. It is a meticulously constructed edifice of rules that delineates what is deemed rational and what is not.

This course promises a riveting journey into the heart of logical studies. We'll traverse the landscapes of both formal and informal logic, discern between the nuances of inductive and deductive reasoning, and explore advanced schools of logical thought. As we delve into formal logic's realm—stripping down statements to their purest, abstract essence—you'll be introduced to its intricate systems and languages. However, fear not! Our voyage will predominantly anchor in plain English, ensuring a clear and engaging learning experience. Along the way, expect intriguing detours into paradoxes, fallacies, historical insights, and the myriad applications of logic.

One might wonder, why embark on such a journey? The motive is twofold. Firstly, to demystify the classical essence of 'logic', disentangling it from its contemporary, colloquial use. And secondly, to instill a deeper appreciation and understanding of logic that transcends textbook definitions, empowering you to harness its principles in everyday life.

A Prelude to Our Journey: The Essence of Logic

At its core, logic is the art and science of constructing and dissecting arguments pertaining to truth and falsehood. It is governed by a consistent set of rules that, when adeptly applied, ascertain the validity of an argument. For logic to weave its magic, it demands binary clarity: the statement in question must be provable as true or false.

Language: The Heartbeat of Logic

At the intersection of thought and expression lies language, serving as the bedrock upon which logical edifices are built. Whether it be the eloquent arguments of ancient Greeks or the modern-day debates in English, the principles of logic remain universal, transcending linguistic boundaries. However, with the ever-evolving nature of language, riddled with dialectical variations and semantic shifts, logic's timeless pursuit has been to find a system unshackled by linguistic constraints.

Join us on this enlightening expedition, as we voyage through the mesmerizing corridors of logic, a discipline that has shaped civilizations and continues to illuminate our path in an increasingly complex world.

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  • Completely Online
  • Self-Paced
  • Printable Lessons
  • Full HD Video  
  • 6 Months to Complete
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  • PC & Mac Compatible
  • Android & iOS Friendly
  • Accredited CEUs
Universal Class is an IACET Accredited Provider
 
 

Course Lessons

Average Lesson Rating:
4.1 / 5 Stars (Average Rating)
"Extraordinarily Helpful"
(274 votes)

  • Lesson 1. The Essence and Evolution of Logic

    Logic, a system of deriving truth, differentiates between reasoned argumentation and common expression, leveraging properties like consistency and soundness. Originating in early philosophical thought, it has seen refinement from the Greeks to 20th-century formal logic systems, integrating symbols and equations.

  • Lesson 2. The Birth and Growth of Logical Thought

    In ancient civilizations, from Master Mo and Nagarjuna to Parmenides and Aristotle, foundational logic intertwined with cultural and philosophical beliefs laid the groundwork for systematic reasoning. This blend bridged emotional inferences and abstract thought, setting a precedent for the dialectics and formal structures that would dominate medieval European and Islamic intellectual landscapes.

  • Lesson 3. Exploring the Mechanics of an Argument

    Breaking down an argument involves examining claims, counterclaims, reasons, evidence, warrants, and responses—components crucial for dissecting and understanding the logic behind stances taken. Argumentation theory emphasizes structured analysis to mitigate errors and fallacies that could otherwise cloud reasoning in critical contexts.

  • Lesson 4. Formal vs. Informal Logic: Exploring the Frameworks

    The lesson covers two types of logic: formal, which uses structured forms, and informal, which evaluates arguments in their real-life context. Deductive reasoning is paired with formal logic for specific conclusions, while inductive reasoning accompanies informal logic for generalized inferences.

  • Lesson 5. The Anatomy of Syllogisms: Breaking Down Logical Structures

    While conversational syllogisms are rare, this lesson spotlights their logical beauty, dissecting components like premises and propositions to underline the value of structured argumentation. By distinguishing terms and proposition types, students grasp the systematic process of deriving valid conclusions.

  • Lesson 6. Understanding Logical Arguments

    Words like 'all,' 'some,' and 'not' encapsulate critical logical operations within propositions, with each combination clarifying a perspective's truth. Logical forms, dating back to the Stoics and Aristotle, serve as the blueprints for differentiating valid argument patterns from those dependent on external content.

  • Lesson 7. Exploring the Depths of Natural Deduction: An Insightful Journey into Logical Reasoning

    Natural deduction is a method introduced by Gentzen to structure formal logic as naturally as possible, contrasting with reliance on unproven axioms used by earlier logicians. It employs self-evident rules of inference to connect hypotheses and conclusions, making abstract argument manipulation possible.

  • Lesson 8. Modal Logic Explored

    Modal logic offers a sophisticated way to assess truth beyond classical logic by incorporating concepts like 'necessary' and 'possible,' making it robust enough to handle complex logical expressions. This advancement was pioneered by logicians such as C.I. Lewis and Saul Kripke, the latter of whom developed possible worlds semantics crucial for understanding modern modal logic.

  • Lesson 9. Probability Meets Logic

    Bayesian probability offers a method for computing conditional probabilities by updating prior beliefs with new evidence. This approach revolutionizes our ability to calculate probabilities in dynamic environments by focusing on the likelihood of events given prior conditions.

  • Lesson 10. Unraveling the Complexity of Informal Logic

    Inductive reasoning is a form of informal logic that derives generalized conclusions from specific evidence, and it comprises methods such as generalization, statistical syllogism, and Bayesian inference. Though it allows for error, understanding these techniques, including Mill's Methods, enhances our ability to make educated guesses in different scenarios.

  • Lesson 11. Formal Fallacies: A Deep Dive

    The fallacy fallacy demonstrates the danger of dismissing an argument's conclusion solely based on poor presentation, underscoring that argument form and content both hold significance. Learning to discern true statements from flawed reasoning structures is an essential skill for effective critical analysis.

  • Lesson 12. The Differentiation Between Formal and Informal Fallacies

    Begging the question involves circular reasoning where the conclusion is inherent in the premise, rendering the argument useless for truth verification. The gambler’s fallacy reflects a misunderstanding of probability, falsely believing past events affect future outcomes.

  • Lesson 13. Paradoxes and Their Role in Testing Logical Completeness

    Numerical paradoxes delve into the abstract nature of infinity, posing logic-defying questions about its existence in mathematics, as seen with Hilbert's Hotel showcasing infinite capacity and vacancies simultaneously. These paradoxes bridge conceptual gaps between finite and infinite, testing the borders of logical comprehension.

  • Lesson 14. Reconciling Observation and Reason in Understanding Reality

    Although logic is fundamental for rational thought, its reliability is questioned due to human irrationality and paradoxes that challenge pure logical interpretation. The contrast between logic and human observation suggests that understanding the universe may not solely depend on logical reasoning.

  • Lesson 15. From Theory to Practice: Logic's Influence

    Fuzzy logic accommodates questions lacking binary truth values by using values between 0 and 1, benefiting technologies from vehicle systems to AI functions. Temporal logic allows computers to handle processes over time, ensuring functionality by managing when processes are accessible.
 

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  • Define logic and explain its historical development, highlighting key figures like Aristotle and their contributions.
  • Identify and analyze the core properties of logical systems, such as consistency, soundness, validity, and completeness, with illustrative examples.
  • Describe the evolution of logic from ancient to modern times, highlighting the influence of different cultures, including Chinese, Indian, Greek, Islamic, and Western traditions, and evaluate their impact on contemporary logical theories and applications
  • Identify the key contributions of Aristotle to the development of formal logic, such as the Law of Excluded Middle and the Law of Non-Contradiction, and demonstrate their significance in modern logic systems
  • Define an argument by identifying its components, including premises and conclusions, and using examples after engaging with the lesson material.
  • Differentiate types of errors in argumentation theory, specifically logical fallacies and their impact on argument validity, by analyzing provided examples.
  • Define the differences between formal and informal logic by identifying their respective focus on argument structure and content.
  • Demonstrate the use of inductive reasoning by analyzing a specific scenario to form a generalized conclusion.
  • Demonstrate the ability to construct a logically valid syllogism based on a given conclusion by correctly organizing premises and terms.
  • Recognize the structure of a syllogism by identifying the major, minor, and middle terms within a given argument.
  • Demonstrate understanding of logical forms by constructing syllogisms that verify the truth of an argument's conclusion based on given premises.
  • Recognize logical forms by applying abstract structures to evaluate the validity of arguments.
  • Define the concept of natural deduction and demonstrate its role in forming valid arguments using clear examples.
  • Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
 

Additional Course Information

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Course Title: Introduction to Logic
Course Number: 9770577
Lessons Rating: 4.1 / 5 Stars (274 votes)
Languages: English - United States, Canada and other English speaking countries
Availability: Enroll in this course from any U.S. state, including California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, and Georgia. The course is also accessible to learners in English-speaking countries such as the UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia, and South Africa.
Last Updated: January 2024
CEU Value: 0.7 IACET CEUs (Continuing Education Units)
CE Accreditation: Universal Class, Inc. has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).
Grading Policy: Earn a final grade of 70% or higher to receive an online/downloadable CEU Certification documenting CEUs earned.
Course Type: Self-Paced, Online Classes
Assessment Method: Lesson assignments and review exams
Instructor: April Cordry-Moore
Syllabus: View Syllabus
Course Fee: $120.00 U.S. dollars

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Student Testimonials

  • "Instructor April Cordry Moore is a wonderful instructor. She is very patient and willing to provide feedback with explanation about mistakes I have made, so that I can improve my thinking. She was very patient when I tried to study Statistics. Although i did not do as well as I liked, it was wholly my shortcoming of earlier attempts at math." -- Judith J.
  • "It was a great course, the hardest I've taken with universalclass but that's normal given the subject. I've learned so much during the course of this class thanks to the way it was explained by the teacher in the course materials. I wouldn't change a thing about the course, it's perfect the way it is." -- Steven L.
  • "Thank you. Although I have struggled throughout this course,I have learned a lot about how the progression of modern mathematics is influenced by logic. Also other areas logic is greatly applied to in the Scientific Method. Learning more about different paradoxes was also interesting." -- Dahlila V.
  • "I didn't know that there were so many different theories and it's hard to believe I actually thought this was just a math course. It's so much more!" -- Chelsea J.
  • "Great Introduction to logic with plenty of resources to expand one's learning opportunities." -- Sean B.
  • "I thought this course was very interesting and I learned a lot from it." -- Joseph D.
  • "The course was great." -- Peter G.

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