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Logic and Critical Thinking

A.Y. 2023/2024
3
Max ECTS
20
Overall hours
SSD
M-FIL/02
Language
English
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
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the students will be familiar with some of the most important concepts and devices of contemporary logic and critical thinking, they will be able to reconstruct and evaluate complex arguments in political, juridical and economic literature, and will be aware of the most frequent mistakes and fallacies of public communicatio

Lesson period: First trimester

Lessons timetable

Assessment methods: Giudizio di approvazione
Assessment result: superato/non superato

Exams calendar

Single course

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Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
D'Agostini Franca
Lesson period
First trimester
The 2023-24 course will be in presence.
Course syllabus
The course presents the basic elements of logic and critical thinking with special reference to public communication, and juridical and economic debates. The focus is on the notion of "good argoment": what is an argument, how we can reconstruct and evaluate it, how can we judge an argument 'good' and how we can produce good arguments.
Prerequisites for admission
No special prerequirement, except a quite good knowledge of oral and written English language
Teaching methods
Usual lectures, with discussions of theses and theories
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)
For students who want to read in Italian:
F. d'Agostini, Le ali al pensiero. Introduzione alla logica, 2015
F. d'Agostini, Verità avvelenata. Buoni e cattivi argomenti nel dibattito pubblico, 2010
Assessment methods and Criteria
There will be a final proof, consisting of a written test, including questions, exercises, and interpretation/discussion of a short text (sample exercises and solution will be published on Ariel)
M-FIL/02 - LOGIC AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor: D'Agostini Franca
Educational website(s)
Logic and critical thinking
Professor(s)