PHIL 216

Modal Logic

Description

PHIL 216 is an introduction to various modal logics, broadly construed. We will investigate basic modal logic, as it is commonly referred to, but will also investigate several “non-classical logics”, including conditional logics, intuitionistic logic, many-valued logics, relevant logics and paraconsistent logics. We will use possible worlds semantics to analyse these logical systems, as well as tableaux (called truth-trees in PHIL101).

Applications to metaphysics and philosophy of language will be touched upon, allowing for optional research projects. This course will help to provide you with the philosophical and mathematical sophistication required for further logical studies at stage III.

You will learn some fundamental logical skills required to understand and study various logical systems - primarily truth-trees, metatheoretical reasoning, and "informal" (mathematics-style) proofs with different semantic definitions. The focus will be on proving validity, and providing counterexamples for invalidity, in a range of systems.

Assessment:

Coursework + exam

For full course information see the Digital Course Outline.

Digital Course Outlines will be refreshed around November/December.

Availability 2025

Semester 1

Lecturer(s)

Coordinator(s) Dr Patrick Girard

Reading/Texts

An Introduction to Non-Classical Logic: From If to Is - Graham Priest, Cambridge University Press, 2008. 

Assessment

Coursework plus Exam

Points

PHIL 216: 15 points

Prerequisites

PHIL 101