Logic and Critical Thinking
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
· Develop inferential and argumentative skills
· Learn to identify and reconstruct arguments
· Learn to evaluate arguments, distinguishing good from bad arguments (fallacies)
· Learn to use formal logic tools (elements of propositional and predicate logic) in order to evaluate deductive reasoning
· Learn to use informal logic tools in order to evaluate non deductive reasoning
· Learn to identify and analyse fallacies occurring in political discourse
· Learn to identify and reconstruct arguments
· Learn to evaluate arguments, distinguishing good from bad arguments (fallacies)
· Learn to use formal logic tools (elements of propositional and predicate logic) in order to evaluate deductive reasoning
· Learn to use informal logic tools in order to evaluate non deductive reasoning
· Learn to identify and analyse fallacies occurring in political discourse
Expected learning outcomes
Undefined
Lesson period: First trimester
Assessment methods: Giudizio di approvazione
Assessment result: superato/non superato
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First trimester
The 2020-21 course will be online. It will begin on September, the 24th, h. 10.30, and will continue with the same timetable. Indicatively - but for unforeseen variations, which will be promptly announced - the lectures will occur syncronically, on the Platform Microsoft Teams
Students who cannot attend the lectures in the scheduled timetable can access slides and/or records of the lectures, which will be regularly published on Ariel, with some other materials (exercises, noteworthy texts, summaries)
Students who cannot attend the lectures in the scheduled timetable can access slides and/or records of the lectures, which will be regularly published on Ariel, with some other materials (exercises, noteworthy texts, summaries)
Course syllabus
The course will present the basic elements of logic and critical thinking with special reference to public communication, economic, juridical and political debates. The aim is to improve students' rational and communicative skills, and their ability in interpreting, evaluating and discussing texts and discourses about controversial topics, such as global super-national policies, international law, transitional justice, cultural conflicts, civil rights and human rights.
There will be three sections of three lectures each, plus one summing-up lecture. In the first section students will improve their ability in reconstructing and understanding complex arguments. The second section will provide some elements of formal logic as applied to economic, juridical and political arguments. The third section will be about the evaluation of arguments and the construction of counter-arguments, so about controversies, fallacies, deception and self-deceptions in the public sphere.
There will be three sections of three lectures each, plus one summing-up lecture. In the first section students will improve their ability in reconstructing and understanding complex arguments. The second section will provide some elements of formal logic as applied to economic, juridical and political arguments. The third section will be about the evaluation of arguments and the construction of counter-arguments, so about controversies, fallacies, deception and self-deceptions in the public sphere.
Prerequisites for admission
No special prerequisite, except quite good knowledge of oral and written English
Teaching methods
Online synchronic lessons
Teaching Resources
All what is necessary for the exam is to be found in the lecturer's notes and other materials that will be published on Ariel (slides of the lectures, exercises, noteworthy texts)
Students who want to improve their preparation or to deepen some specific points can refer to:
J. M. Henle, J. L. Garfield, T. Tymoczko, Sweet Reason. A Field Guide to Modern Logic, 2011
A. Varzi et. Al., Theories and Problems of Logic, 2003-2014
W. Sinnott-Armstrong, R. Fogelin, Understanding Arguments, 2015
D. Zarefsky, The Practice of Argumentation, 2019
Some internet resources (elementary):
Wireless Philosophy - Critical Thinking (Geoff Pynn)
Crash Course Philosophy - How to argue (Hank Green)
Students who want to improve their preparation or to deepen some specific points can refer to:
J. M. Henle, J. L. Garfield, T. Tymoczko, Sweet Reason. A Field Guide to Modern Logic, 2011
A. Varzi et. Al., Theories and Problems of Logic, 2003-2014
W. Sinnott-Armstrong, R. Fogelin, Understanding Arguments, 2015
D. Zarefsky, The Practice of Argumentation, 2019
Some internet resources (elementary):
Wireless Philosophy - Critical Thinking (Geoff Pynn)
Crash Course Philosophy - How to argue (Hank Green)
Assessment methods and Criteria
Learning is assessed via a written test, including questions, exercises, and interpretation/discussion of a short text
M-FIL/02 - LOGIC AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor:
D'Agostini Franca
Professor(s)