Logics and Argumentation
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
At the end of the course, the student will be familiar with the language of contemporary logic, and the main informal logic devices for the analysis and evaluation of reasoning, in science as well as in public communication. The student will know how to symbolize arguments expressed in ordinary language using the tools of propositional and predicative logic, and will be able to apply this knowledge to test the validity of formal arguments. The student will also be able to reconstruct and evaluate informal arguments expressed in ordinary discourse applying a considerable set of argumentation schemes, and taking into account the context of their utterance.
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. Indicatively - and but for unforeseen variations, which will be promptly announced - the lectures will occur syncronically, on Microsoft Teams platform
Students who cannot attend the lectures in the scheduled timetable will have access to slides and/or records of the lectures, which will be regularly published on the Ariel site, with some other materials (exercises, noteworthy texts, summaries)
Students who cannot attend the lectures in the scheduled timetable will have access to slides and/or records of the lectures, which will be regularly published on the Ariel site, with some other materials (exercises, noteworthy texts, summaries)
Course syllabus
The focus of the course is the notion of 'good argument'. We will answer the questions: what is a (good) argument? How can we distinguish bad from good arguments? How can we construct good arguments?
There will be three sections of three lectures each, plus one summing up lecture (so ten lectures altogether).
In the first section, students will learn to reconstruct and interpret complex texts. A complex text is one that has intermediate conclusions, and is normally spread over a quite long section of text. So we need to individuate and reconstruct its structure.
The second section will give students some basic elements of formal logic as applied to political arguments. Students will learn to individuate and explore the intimate structure of arguments, and judge whether they are valid (formally acceptable).
The third section will be about the evaluation of good arguments, and the construction of good counter-arguments: so it will about fallacies, mistakes, and conflicts and controversies in the public debate.
There will be three sections of three lectures each, plus one summing up lecture (so ten lectures altogether).
In the first section, students will learn to reconstruct and interpret complex texts. A complex text is one that has intermediate conclusions, and is normally spread over a quite long section of text. So we need to individuate and reconstruct its structure.
The second section will give students some basic elements of formal logic as applied to political arguments. Students will learn to individuate and explore the intimate structure of arguments, and judge whether they are valid (formally acceptable).
The third section will be about the evaluation of good arguments, and the construction of good counter-arguments: so it will about fallacies, mistakes, and conflicts and controversies in the public debate.
Prerequisites for admission
None, but for good knowledge and exerience of Italian language
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons
Exercises at home
Exercises at home
Teaching Resources
F. D'Agostini, Verità avvelenata. Buoni e cattivi argomenti nel dibattito pubblico, Bollati Boringhieri 2010
Id., Logica in Pratica, Carocci, 2013
Id., Le ali al pensiero. Introduzione alla logica, Carocci, 2015
Id., Logica in Pratica, Carocci, 2013
Id., Le ali al pensiero. Introduzione alla logica, Carocci, 2015
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam will be written, it will consist of a questionnaire, some exercises, and the analysis and discussion of a short text
Students should send their work by email (to [email protected]) no later than ten days after the exam session
There is no grade, only the evaluation accepted / not accepted
Students should send their work by email (to [email protected]) no later than ten days after the exam session
There is no grade, only the evaluation accepted / not accepted
M-FIL/02 - LOGIC AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor:
D'Agostini Franca
Professor(s)