Logic with Trees: An Introduction to Symbolic Logic

by Colin Howson

Logic With Trees is a new and original introduction to modern formal logic. Unlike most texts, it also contains discussions on more philosophical issues such as truth, conditionals and modal logic. It presents the formal material with clarity, preferring informal explanations and arguments to intimidatingly rigorous development. Worked examples and excercises enable the readers to check their progress. Logic With Trees equips students with * a complete and clear account of the truth-tree system for first order logic * the importance of logic and its relevance to many different disciplines * the skills to grasp sophisticated formal reasoning techniques necessary to explore complex metalogic * the ability to contest claims that `ordinary' reasoning is well represented by formal first order logic The issues covered include a thorough discussion of truth-functional and full first order logic, using the truth-tree or semantic tableau approach. Completeness and Soundness proofs are given for both truth-functional and first order trees. Much use is made of induction, which is presented in a clear and consistent manner. There is also discussion of alternative deductive systems, an introduction to transfinite numbers and categoricity, the Lowenhein-Skolem theories and the celebrated findings of Godel and Church. The book concludes with an account of Kripke's attempted solution of the liar paradox and a discussion of the weakness of truth-functional account of conditionals. Particularly useful to those who favour critical accounts of formal reasoning, it will be of interest to students of philosophy at first level and beyond and also students of mathematics and computer science.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction

212 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 1997

Reviews

[Lucas Gili · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a beginner of first-order logic and this is one of the first books I've read about it, although the book also introduces and explains some other famous topics and theorems too so the book introduces the reader to a lot of new things in the field with many book recommendations.

I'm not accustomed to reading first-order logic and maths either, and the author's explanations and writing style could be clearer and in a better format, because of this I wouldn't recommend the book to someone who quickly needs to understand the way first-order logic works but rather someone who is familiar with it but wants to deepen their knowledge of it at a beginner-low intermediate level.

If you want a short book that is high on detail on the subjects of truth trees, propositional languages and first-order logic then this is certainly one to read.

[Clayton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Please no more appealing to mathematicians, my little philosopher pea brain can't handle it