161-016 Metatheory

161-115 Logic. Or, with permission from the Head of School or the subject coordinator, 620-122 Mathematics B (Advanced), or 620-142 Mathematics B, or 433-255 Logic and Computation, or 620-211 Mathematics 2 (Advanced).

This subject deals with selected topics in logic beyond what is covered in 161-115 Logic, such as the completeness and undecidability of first-order logic and alternative deductive systems. Concepts and results will be approached via both theoretical discussion and practical experience with formal techniques, enabling students to appreciate the philosophical importance of the major logical results and equipping them for further study in philosophy (or logic-related areas of other disciplines, eg. mathematics, linguistics, computer science).

• have developed skills to learn to think clearly and precisely;

• be able to present complicated reasoning in understandable ways;

• be able to foster attention to detail.

Tutorial exercises 50% (throughout the semester), and a 2-hour written examination (not open-book) 50% (held at the end of semester).

• Richard Jeffrey, Formal Logic: Its Scope and Limits. 3rd edition.