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First Course in Logic, A
K. Codell Carter, Brigham Young University

ISBN-10: 0321108825
ISBN-13:  9780321108821

Publisher:  Pearson
Copyright:  2004
Format:  Cloth; 556 pp
Published:  06/05/2003
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Description

Providing students with a more understandable introduction to logic without sacrificing rigor, A First Course in Logic presents topics and methods in a highly accessible and integrated manner.

By integrating and comparing topics throughout and using the same examples in different chapters, the author shows the utility and limitations of each method of logic. The result is that students build on what they have already learned, and more easily figure out the appropriate methods to use. Consistent pedagogical structure helps students learn and study better; fewer basic rules require memorization, and instead emphasize strategies and tactics for applying those rules; and one-of-a-kind LSAT-type exercises apply logic to pre-professional exams.


Features

  • UNIQUE! Unity of Logic. Shows the unity of logic by integrating different types of arguments, methods, examples, and exercises throughout:

    • UNIQUE! Integration of syllogistic, truth-functional, and quanitificational logic Throughout, the three types of arguments are integrated to help students understand how they relate to each other and figure out which type of logic to use. See: p. 356, Quantificational Notation in Comparison to the Notations of Our Earlier System; p. 254-258, Enrichment, Truth-functional Arguments and Syllogisms.

    • UNIQUE! Explicitly covers both Refutation (1.6) and Proof (1.7) as ways to evaluate arguments, building on students' existing skills, and using and contrasting both methods throughout the book with regard to Venn diagrams (p. 179) and syllogistic proofs (p.174); truth tables (p. 226: 4.6) and truth functional logic (p. 271: 5.1); and quantificational logic (p. 365).

    • UNIQUE! Exercises and examples. Many examples and exercises are used again in different parts of the book to help students connect and contrast different methods and to help them see the utility and limitations of methods. Examples and exercises that appear more than once are cross-referenced with unique numbering system. See: p. 9 (#3) is used again in Chapters 2 (p. 97: 2.7.II) and 5 (p. 291: #13); p. 13 (#36) is used again on p. 23 (#11) and p. 406 (#10) to show different ways of looking at arguments; p. 31 (#38, 39, and 40) also appear on p. 47 (#18 and 19) and p. 380 (#46, 47-49) to show how proofs are connected.

    • UNIQUE! Covers Completeness and Consistency and shows how they relate to syllogistic, truth-functional and quantificational logic. (See pp. 179, 339, 382, 394.

  • Thoroughly checked and class-tested for accuracy. The manuscript has been used in class with thousands of students. Independent checkers thoroughly checked the manuscript and book proofs to insure accuracy. Additional class testers in Fall, 2003, will report any errors to the publisher, and a corrected reprint will be available for Summer, 2004, classes.
  • Real-life Exercises and Examples. The Contains approximately 2,000 examples and exercises (approx. 1,400 exercises; 600 examples) with more examples from real-life sources such as films, editorials, literature, college texts, etc. to appeal to students and relate to their lives. See p. 101, 192, 209, 380. Many examples and exercises are used again in different parts of the book to help students connect and contrast different methods and to help them see the utility and limitations of methods.
  • UNIQUE! LSAT Questions. Questions similar to those on the LSAT Exam give students valuable practice; highlighted with LSAT icon, 10 exercises at end of each chapter are followed by explanations. See p. 51-56 and the end of each chapter.
  • Unique “LongmanLogic.com” online Proof Checker, Venn Diagram tool and Truth Table tool, with worked-out answers to exercises in the text, audio tutorial, and full course management functions, is free when bundled with the text. Use Valuepack ISBN: 0-321-21447-1.
  • Basic Rules for Construction of Proofs. Includes only 8 basic rules to memorize, making it easier for students to apply. Rules are introduced in small “chunks” (1 or 2 at a time) and immediately followed by explanations, examples, and exercises. Strategies and Tactics show how to use to rules. See: p. 274-278; p. 278-280; and p. 280.
  • Historical Coverage. More and clearer coverage of the history of logic includes highlighted Enrichment sections with material on the historical origins of syllogistic, truth functional, and quantificational logic. See: p. 191, Stoic Logic; p.350, Frege's Project; p. 389 outcome of Frege's Project.
  • UNIQUE! Coverage of Fallacies. Unlike other texts, Fallacies are covered in different parts of the book so that students have the knowledge needed to understand different types of fallacies. See Sections 2.7; 3.7; 4.7; 7.6. Alternately, fallacies can be covered together.
  • UNIQUE! Pedagogy. One-of-a-kind pedagogy in all chapters help students study and learn:

    • What Will I Learn in This Chapter? Each chapter opens with a brief preview of the main points in the chapter. See page 1 and the beginning of each chapter.

    • What Have I Learned in This Chapter? Each chapter has a summary of major topics See pp. 49 and the end of each chapter.

    • How Can I Apply What I Have Learned in this Chapter? This chapter-ending section helps students use concepts to find arguments in real-life sources, criticize real-life arguments given in the text, write papers, and respond to LSAT-type questions. See pp. 50-51, and the end of each chapter.

    • Where Do I Go From Here? Each chapter ends with suggestions about which chapters or sections to study next. See p. 56 and the end of each chapter.

  • UNIQUE! Student-friendly, pedagogically beneficial, Full-Color Design. Enhancing the text's accessibility, color is used throughout. Exercises appear with a gold bar above, down the side, and below each set, clarifying where the exercise begins and ends. Rules are highlighted by a green box for easy and quick access of important material. Charts, boxed material, and tables are in a colorful, easy-to-read format.


Table of Contents

Each chapter contains: exercises, LSAT questions, “What Will I Learn in this Chapter?;” “What Have I Learned in This Chapter?;” “How Can I Apply What I Have Learned in This Chapter?;” and “Where Do I Go From Here?”

1. Basic Concepts of Logic.

Arguments.

The Historical Roots of Logic.

Induction and Deduction.

Validity and Soundness.

Logical Strength and Cogency.

Refutation.

Proof.



2. Logic and Language.

Use and Mention.

The Uses of Language.

Kinds of Definitions.

Ways of Defining.

Rules for Lexical Definitions.

Arguments in Context.

Fallacies.



3. Syllogistic Logic.

Aristotelian Logic.

Diagramming and Symbolizing Categorical Statements.

Categorical Equivalences.

Syllogisms.

Using Venn Diagrams to Refute Invalid Syllogisms.

Using Canons to Test Syllogisms for Invalidity.

Syllogistic Fallacies.

Enthymemes and Sorites.

Proofs of Valid Syllogisms.

The Limits of Syllogistic Logic.



4. Truth-functional Logic: Symbolization and Refutation.

Stoic Logic.

Symbolizing Truth-functional Arguments.

Truth Tables.

Classifying and Comparing Statements.

Implication and Equivalence.

Refuting Invalid Truth-functional Arguments.

Truth-functional Fallacies.

The Sheffer Arrow.



5. Truth-functional Logic: Proofs

Statement-Forms and Their Instances.

Modus Ponens and Rules for Conjunctions, Disjunctions and Biconditionals.

Conditional Proof.

Indirect Proof.

Shortcut Rules.

Shortcut Rules, Continued.

Strategies and Tactics.

Other Uses for Truth-functional Proofs.

The Nature of Truth-functional Proofs.



6. Quantificational Logic.

Frege's Project.

Quantificational Notation: Monadic Predicates.

Quantificational Notation: Polyadic Predicates.

Quantificational Proofs.

The Nature of Quantificational Logic.

Properties of Relations and Second-Order Logic.

The Outcome of Frege's Project.



7. Inductive Logic.

Inductive Arguments.

Appeal to Authority.

Argument by Analogy.

The Strength of Inductive Arguments.

Hypothesis and Confirmation.

Causal Reasoning.

Argument by Generalization.

Samples.

Probabilistic Reasoning.



Solutions to Starred Exercises.


Glossary/Index.



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Reviews



"¿Carter's book is superior, hands down... I look forward to using it [in my course]."
—Stephen C. Leach, Minnesota State University, Mankato


"I am particularly impressed by how well integrated the whole text is. Professor Carter does a splendid job of preparing students for what will come later in the text, and reminding them of what came before. I believe that Professor Carter has made a real contribution to logic texts..."
—Brian Domino, Miami University, Ohio


"The frequent use of the same examples is one of the more striking things about the Carter text."
—Richard Lee, University of Arkansas


"I think that writing a good introductory logic text is a daunting task, but Carter has managed it very well. I would seriously consider using his text."
—Robert J. Delete, Seattle University


"The author proposes a worthy set of goals for the introductory logic book and succeeds admirably in achieving them¿ the book covers the right subjects in the right order with the right amount of detail and in the right ways...Carter's use of the same proofs in more than one context is an ingenious way to achieve his goal of demonstrating the unity of logic as a discipline... A First Course in Logic is extremely well written. Each topic is clearly explained in direct, engaging language¿ This is an excellent textbook for the introductory logic course. Its central strengths are the clarity and accessibility of the writing style, the consistency of its development of deductive proofs in different levels of logical discourse, and the helpful descriptions of the historical contexts in which each of the elements of logic were developed¿K. Codell Carter is to be congratulated for a job well done."
—Garth Kemerling, Newberry College, SC


"The sections on the history of logic are excellent! The text is successful in presenting logic as a unified discipline. This is something that is missing from all of the major texts, and I commend the author for it. Another unique element is the focus on LSAT questions. These exercises are invaluable¿The repetition of proofs is an excellent idea! Seeing the different approaches to the same argument is an excellent pedagogical tool."
—William T. Myers, Birmingham Southern College


"The inclusion of LSAT-style questions throughout the text is a bit of genius... Not only do they allow for some variety, but many of my students take Logic purely as LSAT preparation. Integrating these problems into the main flow of a course is a great strength of the author's approach."
—Peter Bradley, Washington University in St. Louis


"His examples and exercises are one of the book¿s main strengths... I find Carter's [writing] style immensely appealing. He gives an example for almost every claim he makes, and the examples are easy to follow and compelling. His writing is clear, straight-forward, and flows easily¿ He's chosen [the examples] cleverly with a mix from both "everyday" and philosophical sources. I especially like those from literature, especially novels... The LSAT material is highly desirable. A fair number of students do take Introductory Logic as an aid on the LSAT, and the material aimed directly at that will not only be helpful to them, but a 'pull' for more students to the course."
—Houston Craighead, Winthrop University, South Carolina



Author Bios

K. Codell Carter believes that teaching should be a conversation between friends, and he wrote A First Course in Logic to reflect this ideal. He has taught more than four thousand beginning logic students throughout his teaching career.

Carter is currently a professor at Brigham Young University where, in addition to logic courses, he teaches courses on the history of philosophy (especially Kant and Marx) along with freshman and junior level writing courses. He received his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and his Masters of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Utah and holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Cornell University.

His publications include works on 19th and 20th Century medicine, and when not thinking about ways to make the study of logic more relevant to students' lives, he enjoys backpacking, gardening, fly fishing, old books, and mountain lakes above the timberline.

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