Formal Logic

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Maniac Craniac, Jun 25, 2010.

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  1. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    I mentioned to some of my friends that I am interested in taking a course in Logic. They all were a bit startled, flinched violently and said some version of "Huh? What? You want to take a COURSE in LOGIC?!" Then my response to each of them was "Uh...yeah, what's wrong with that?"
    Followed by my prolonged exposure to blank, confused stares.

    I would love to be able to use formal logical parameters to examine the arguments and conclusions I wish to make in my future Soc/Psych research papers, as well as to be able to shout out things like "That's a false redictio ad absurdum!" when I am winning an argument :cool: Oh yeah, and that whole nerd thing where everything about life, the world, and the universe facinates me and motivates me to learn more.

    Well, it doesn't fit into my degree plan, so I am looking for something that is free and completely independent, if any such course exists. Something that doesn't rhyme with Icky-Feet-ia, follows a course-like format for its lessons and has quizzes. Is that too much to ask!? Meh...

    Please refrain from posting anything ad hominem or non sequitir. :D
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 25, 2010
  2. Chip

    Chip Administrator

    as far as I know, logic courses are a pretty standard part of any philosophy major so it should not be hard to find a logic course as a standalone. I think another name for the same course is "Modes of Reasoning"

    If you don't care about credit, you might see if The Teaching Company has a course, their course materials are generally really topnotch and I know they have some courses in the philosophy realm.

    Otherwise, maybe BYU or Ohio University, as both have pretty diverse offerings.
     
  3. BillDayson

    BillDayson New Member

    Formal logic is an awfully technical discipline, closely akin to mathematics and often taught by mathematics departments. It's concerned with things like quantification, model theories, completeness and compactness proofs, and even more arcane things. It has some utility for computer scientists and similar types, and it's essential for those studying the foundations of mathematics.

    If you are interested in studying a form of logic that's more useful in writing expository papers and evaluating real-life arguments, then you probably should study informal logic. It's the form of logic that addresses the many sorts of fallacies, such as your 'ad hominem' or 'non-sequitur'.

    Here's a pretty decent free introductory informal-logic tutorial from my local San Jose State University.

    Mission: Critical (Main Menu)
     
  4. gettingthere

    gettingthere New Member

  5. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

  6. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    Well, now that's quite helpful, thank you, yes it is INformal logic that I am looking for (I didn't realize there was that distinction).
     
  7. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    WOW, gettingthere and Ian, those are exactly what I am looking for! At first glance, it looks like a couple of them might have quizzes- I'll scour those links to see if they do when I have the chance. Either way, that's a ton if info you just gave me. Thanks a lot!
     
  8. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    There are a few resources I can supply. Three books come to mind. The first is "Beginning Logic" by EJ Lemmon. The second is "An Introduction to Symbolic Logic" by Susanne Langer. The third, and perhaps the most accessible is "How To Think Straight" by Anthony Flew. Dr. Flew is a British guy, very well respected and his book is a standard text in the area of critical thinking around the world.
     
  9. james_lankford

    james_lankford New Member

    Argumentation: The Study of Effective Reasoning, 2nd Edition

    Argumentation: The Study of Effective Reasoning, 2nd Edition

    currently on sale $70

    24 DVD lectures, 30 minutes perlecture

    Course Lecture Titles
    1. Introducing Argumentation and Rhetoric
    2. Underlying Assumptions of Argumentation
    3. Formal and Informal Argumentation
    4. History of Argumentation Studies
    5. Argument Analysis and Diagramming
    6. Complex Structures of Argument
    7. Case Construction—Requirements and Options
    8. Stasis—The Heart of the Controversy
    9. Attack and Defense I
    10. Attack and Defense II
    11. Language and Style in Argument
    12. Evaluating Evidence
    13. Reasoning from Parts to Whole
    14. Reasoning with Comparisons
    15. Establishing Correlations
    16. Moving from Cause to Effect
    17. Commonplaces and Arguments from Form
    18. Hybrid Patterns of Inference
    19. Validity and Fallacies I
    20. Validity and Fallacies II
    21. Arguments between Friends
    22. Arguments among Experts
    23. Public Argument and Democratic Life
    24. The Ends of Argumentation

    ========================================

    Art of Critical Decision Making

    The Art of Critical Decision Making

    24 DVD lectures, 30 minutes per lecture

    currently NOT on sale,
    wait for a sale, they happen often

    Course Lecture Titles
    1. Making High-Stakes Decisions
    2. Cognitive Biases
    3. Avoiding Decision-Making Traps
    4. Framing—Risk or Opportunity?
    5. Intuition—Recognizing Patterns
    6. Reasoning by Analogy
    7. Making Sense of Ambiguous Situations
    8. The Wisdom of Crowds?
    9. Groupthink—Thinking or Conforming?
    10. Deciding How to Decide
    11. Stimulating Conflict and Debate
    12. Keeping Conflict Constructive
    13. Creativity and Brainstorming
    14. The Curious Inability to Decide
    15. Procedural Justice
    16. Achieving Closure through Small Wins
    17. Normal Accident Theory
    18. Normalizing Deviance
    19. Allison's Model—Three Lenses
    20. Practical Drift
    21. Ambiguous Threats and the Recovery Window
    22. Connecting the Dots
    23. Seeking Out Problems
    24. Asking the Right Questions
     
  10. KariS

    KariS New Member

  11. cjzande

    cjzande New Member

    I have a lot of links on the critical thinking page of my website. (Mission Critical is actually the first one I have listed.) Critical thinking and logic are actually not the same thing, but I combined them for a "course," so there are links to information on logical fallacies there as well. Anyway, you might find something you can use HERE.
     
  12. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    Not the same, but much appreciated as well. Thanks.
     

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