southampton

Module overview

Philosophical logic provides tools for the rigorous study of some of the most central notions of philosophy and of ordinary thought - for instance, necessity and possibility (modal logic), time (temporal logic), moral obligation (deontic logic), and knowledge and belief (epistemic logic). You will learn about some of these logical tools, and use them to explore the philosophical questions that they both raise and help to illuminate. For instance, is your existence necessary? What is the nature of time? Can you be obliged to do something you are unable to do? What’s the difference between knowledge and belief?

Linked modules

PHIL1016 or PHIL2014

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Ability to present your reasoning in the relevant areas in a perspicuous and rigorous fashion.
Ability to identify, analyse and assess arguments in a sophisticated way.

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

to be introduced to some central questions of philosophical logic, such as those surrounding the notions of necessity and possibility, time, obligation, and knowledge and belief.
to learn advanced techniques of philosophical logic, including translating natural language expressions into logical formulae, building counter-models, and constructing proofs.

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Ability to articulate and defend your own views in philosophical logic and relate the issues they concern to issues in other areas of philosophy, such as metaphysics, epistemology and ethics.
Ability to employ advanced techniques of philosophical logic in formulating and evaluating arguments.

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching methods include:

Lectures
In-class discussion
One to one consultation with the module coordinator

Learning activities include:

Attending lectures
Contributing to class discussion
Preparing for and completing the assessment tasks

Study time
Type	Hours
Independent Study	117
Lecture	33
Total study time	150

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

John P. Burgess (2009). Philosophical Logic. Princeton University Press.

Assessment

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Exercises and Quizzes

Assessment Type: Formative
Feedback: Oral feedback
Final Assessment: No
Group Work: No

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Examination	50%
Class Test	50%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Examination	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External

Philosophical Logic