FIL4406 – Philosophical logic and the philosophy of mathematics

Course content

The contents of the course may vary from year to year but will be based on:

(1) a further logical and philosophical study of classical propositional and predicate logic;

(2) a logical and philosophical study of various extensions of, and alternatives to, classical logic; or

(3) central questions in the philosophy of mathematics.

Examples of (1) include metatheory such as soundness and completeness proofs, the deduction theorem, etc.

Examples of (2) include G?del's incompleteness theorem, various systems of modal logic (for example, K, T, S4, S5), as well as systems of deontic logic, temporal logic, or doxastic logic. Further examples of specialization may be within identity theory, model theory, set theory, second-order logic, logical consequence, conditionals, counterfactuals, intuitionistic logic, relevance logic, and various logical paradoxes such as Russell's Paradox, Liar Paradox, etc.

Examples of (3) include mathematical knowledge, mathematical objects, truth in mathematics, and the applicability of mathematics.

Learning outcome

After passing the exam, you will have

  • gained a deeper understanding of the nature of logic and/or mathematics
  • acquired a thorough understanding of the central philosophical questions that arise in connection with one or both of these formal sciences, as well as an ability to think independently about how these questions are to be answered.

Having passed the exam in this unit will enable you to understand and orient yourself in the philosophical literature in this area.

Admission

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Only master degree students in philosophy can formally enroll, and take the course for credits. The 30-credits version of the course is available only for students who choose to write a MA-essay, FIL4091, instead of a Master's Thesis, FIL4090, and therefore need further 30 credits.

Prerequisites

Recommended previous knowledge

EXFAC03-FIL – Examen facultatum, filosofivariant - from fall 2007 till fall 2011 or FIL1006 – Innf?ring i logikk . If you are uncertain about whether or not your previous knowledge within the field is sufficient, we advise you to contact the teacher responsible for the course.

Teaching

14 double sessions of seminar. The course has the following compulsory tuition activities:

  • 1 oral presentation in class

The presentation must be approved as satisfactory by your teacher in order to qualify for the examination.

Examination

An essay of approximately 25-50 pages à 2300 characters, litterature list not included. You submit your essay in Fronter.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

Explanations and appeals

Resit an examination

Special examination arrangements

Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.

Facts about this course

Credits
30
Level
Master
Teaching
Spring 2015
Examination
Spring 2015
Teaching language
Norwegian (English on request)