Knowledge and understanding: understand what an argument is and its structure. Understand the basics of formal logic and its relationship to scientific theories. Apply knowledge and understanding: Formalize statements and arguments. Distinguish valid from invalid deductive arguments through the application of the formal tools of propositional and first-order logic. Recognize logical fallacies. Apply logical tools to classical problems in philosophy. Autonomy of judgment: Develop the ability to apply acquired notions, identifying valid arguments, in different contexts. Communication skills: acquire the fundamental vocabulary of the discipline and be able to expound arguments with clarity and rigor. Learning skills: acquire a basic knowledge of conceptual tools, with emphasis on understanding, use and application, rather than the merely mnemonic part.

None.

Science and philosophy require extensive use of rigorous reasoning and arguments. The course introduces the basics of the logical study of reasoning. In particular, the course introduces the fundamentals of reasoning from a logical point of view, focusing on the study and use of (classical first order) logic. Main topics of the course will be: A. - What is an argument - Deductive and non-deductive arguments - Inductive and abductive arguments - Formal language - Truth tables - Logical calculus - Metalogic B. - Quantifiers and first-order formal language - Models and counter-models - Logical calculus for first order logic - Some applications to problems in philosophy of science, including: syntactic and semantic conception of scientific theories, scientific law, problems and paradoxes of induction, ontological commitment. For history students (6 credits), the program excludes the first-order logic part, limiting itself to topics in Group A, plus the book on Philosophy of Science (Okasha). For philosophy students (9 credits), the program includes both topics in group A. and those in group B, plus the book on Philosophy of Science (Okasha).

For logic: - Varzi, Achille; Nolt, John, Logica. Milano: McGraw-Hill, 2007. (avalaible also in English) - M. Carrara, F. Mancini, A. Strollo, Eserciziario di logica: Padova University Press, 2021. For Philosphy of Science: - Samir Okasha, Il primo libro di Filosofia della Scienza, Einaudi, 2006. (or in English Philosophy of Science. A very short introduction, Oxford University Press)

The course involves face-to-face teaching interwoven with common activities of solving exercises and applications. Interaction is promoted and encouraged.

The classes are held in person. The recordings are available on the University platform (MS Teams) for 12 months, starting from the end of each individual lesson. Recordings may be interrupted if the attendance to the lessons consistently and persistently decreases, or there are not enough people. In the event of a consistent and persistent decline in attendance, the recordings may be discontinued. Any such interruptions will be communicated through the teaching 'team' and notifications on the Department and course websites. Students with special needs (those with disabilities, workers, athletes, ”adults" (not recent graduates), parents, prisoners) who find themselves, either permanently or temporarily, in special circumstances that make it impossible for them to attend classes in person, will be allowed to connect remotely upon request to the teacher. The request, for which the student assumes personal responsibility, must be sent by email to the teacher well in advance of the start of classes.

The examination consists of a written test. The written test consists of the solution of exercises and open questions on theory. The student must demonstrate knowledge of the topics covered and the ability to apply them. The examination consists of three parts. One part with open questions of theory of logic; one part with exercises of logic; one part with open questions of philosophy of science. In order to pass the examination with a minimum mark of 18/30, the student must demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the course topics by correctly answering, in the teacher's judgement, most of the questions in each of the three parts and showing adequate understanding of at least the fundamental concepts. To achieve the maximum mark of 30/30 cum laude, the student must demonstrate excellent knowledge of all the topics covered in the course, correctly answering all the questions and correctly solving all the exercises. This implies a full understanding of all concepts, both fundamental and advanced, mastery of the content and the ability to apply it in new contexts.

This course explores topics closely related to one or more goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs)