Logic and Critical Thinking
A.Y. 2025/2026
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 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
Assessment methods: Giudizio di approvazione
Assessment result: superato/non superato
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First trimester
Course syllabus
Basics of Logic: Concepts and Tools
· Propositions, truth values, logical operators
· Deductive vs. inductive reasoning
· Validity, soundness, logical consequence
Argument analysis and evaluation
· Identifying argument structure: premises and conclusions
· Common argumentative strategies and fallacies
Scientific reasoning
· Forms of scientific inference
· Data, evidence, and theories
· The problem of induction
Logic and Scientific Method
· The structure of scientific explanation
· Falsifiability, prediction, and theory testing
· Theory change and rationality in science
· Propositions, truth values, logical operators
· Deductive vs. inductive reasoning
· Validity, soundness, logical consequence
Argument analysis and evaluation
· Identifying argument structure: premises and conclusions
· Common argumentative strategies and fallacies
Scientific reasoning
· Forms of scientific inference
· Data, evidence, and theories
· The problem of induction
Logic and Scientific Method
· The structure of scientific explanation
· Falsifiability, prediction, and theory testing
· Theory change and rationality in science
Prerequisites for admission
No preliminary competences are required.
Teaching methods
Lezioni
Teaching Resources
- Fisher, Alec 2004. The logic of real arguments, 2nd edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (pp: TBA).
- Potochnik A., Colombo M., and Wright, C. (2019) Recipes for Science. An introduction to scientific methods and reasoning (Chapters 1 -7).
- Potochnik A., Colombo M., and Wright, C. (2019) Recipes for Science. An introduction to scientific methods and reasoning (Chapters 1 -7).
Assessment methods and Criteria
Written exam at the end of the course.
The maximum grade is 30 cum laude. Exam results will be communicated via the university online platform for evaluations.
The maximum grade is 30 cum laude. Exam results will be communicated via the university online platform for evaluations.
M-FIL/02 - LOGIC AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor:
Marchionni Caterina
Professor(s)
Reception:
Mondays, 14.00-15.00
Office (last floor, Via Festa del Perdono 7), or online