LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aims of the course are to critically introduce the notion of reasoning and the basic principles of logic, as well as the specific philosophical methods and problems of scientific practice.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aims of the 1st module are:
- to introduce the fundamentals of the study of reasoning, such as, for example, the distinction between deductive and non-deductive reasoning;
- to introduce the basic conceptual and terminological apparatus of logic; 
- to introduce the fundamentals of logical formalization;
- to introduce the basic concepts of propositional logic and the language of first order predicate logic.

The aims of the 2nd module are:
- introducing the basic conceptual and terminological apparatus of the philosophy of science;
- introducing the main epistemological problems raised by the philosophy of science.

At the end of the 1st module, the students: 
- will know the technical vocabulary and the basic conceptual apparatus of logic and of the study of reasoning; 
- will know the distinction between different types of inference;
- will know the fundamentals of propositional logic;
- will know the language of first order predicate logic;
- will be able to formalize simple natural language sentences;
- will be able to analyze simple examples of common sense reasoning.

At the end of the 2nd module, the students: 
- will know the basic philosophical vocabulary of the philosophy of science;
- will be able to discuss main topics of the philosophy of science;
- will be able to apply the analytical and conceptual tools of the discipline to the discussion of basic problems regarding the various sciences.

PREREQUISITES

None, the course is introductory.

TEACHING METHODS

In person.

Students are required to register at Aulaweb, where materials useful for the course will be uploaded.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The 1st module will introduce the following topics: Reasoning and inference; deductive and non-deductive arguments; logic as the study of deductive reasoning; propositional logic; first predicate logic: language and fundamentals; formalised and ordinary reasoning; systematic reasoning errors; pragmatics and reasoning.

The 2nd module will introduce the following basic problems of the philosophy of science: the difference between induction and deduction; the issue of demarcation; scientific explanation; scientific realism vs. anti-realism; the notions of progress, scientific change and revolutions. ​

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

1st module
D. Palladino, Manuale di logica, Carocci, introduction and chapters 1 to 4.
M. Frixione, Come ragioniamo, Laterza.

2nd module

C. Amoretti, D. Serpico, Filosofia della scienza, Roma, Carocci.