Logic and critical thinking
A.A. 2023/2024
Obiettivi formativi
· 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
Risultati apprendimento attesi
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.
Periodo: Primo trimestre
Modalità di valutazione: Giudizio di approvazione
Giudizio di valutazione: superato/non superato
Corso singolo
Questo insegnamento non può essere seguito come corso singolo. Puoi trovare gli insegnamenti disponibili consultando il catalogo corsi singoli.
Programma e organizzazione didattica
Edizione unica
Responsabile
Periodo
Primo trimestre
Eccetto impreviste variazioni, il corso 2022-23 sarà in presenza.
Programma
The course presents the basic elements of logic and critical thinking with special reference to public communication, 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 as 'good' and how we can produce good arguments.
Prerequisiti
No special prerequirement, except a quite good knowledge of oral and written English language
Metodi didattici
Usual lectures, with discussions of theses and theories
Materiale di riferimento
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 can read 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
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 can read 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
Modalità di verifica dell’apprendimento e criteri di valutazione
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)
Siti didattici
Docente/i