Free Online by FutureLearn: Logic: The Language of Truth

Future Learn Platform is offering a free online course on the theme of “Logic: The Language of Truth”.

If you believe Mickey is a big mouse and Dumbo is a small elephant, then you must also believe that Mickey is a mouse and Dumbo is an elephant.

But, do you believe that Mickey is bigger than Dumbo?

On this course, you’ll consider the logic behind this argument and explore the concept that when something is true, other things have to be true too.

You’ll discover logical reasoning theory and explore the vital role words like and, or, not, and if play in making good or bad arguments.

You’ll also learn how philosophers use a formal language to assess arguments and look closely at how our everyday language and thinking works.

This course is intended for:

The course is primarily designed for those studying philosophy, maths, or science at A-level or university.

The course will also be of interest to anyone who’d like to learn more about these subjects and the systematic study of good and bad reasoning

Learners require a basic understanding of formal logic and a keen interest to learn.

What software or tools do you need?

There is no need for any specialist tools beyond a pen and paper!

Course duration:

4hours per week for 4 weeks.

Course topics:

• How to use formal logic as a tool to clarify and evaluate arguments
• Identifying the premises and conclusions of arguments;
• Applying the philosophical concepts of ‘truth-value’, ‘validity’, ‘logical form’, ‘sentence connective’ and ‘truth-function’;
• Using truth-tables to work out the truth-values of compound sentences
• Using truth-tables to test arguments for validity;
• Exploring the relationship between formal logical language and natural language

Course objectives:

By the end of this course learners will be able to:

1. Evaluate arguments (chains of reasoning) using a formal language as a tool
2. Apply an understanding of the concept of validity in evaluating arguments
3. Explore the relationships between formal languages and everyday or ‘natural’ languages
4. Apply an understanding of the idea of a formal language — a specially created language with key vocabulary having carefully specified precise meanings — in analysing and understanding claims expressed in everyday language

Course costs:

Learner can join this course for free and get access to it for 6 weeks.

Or upgrade this course for $49 and gets:

• Access to this course for as long as it’s on Future Learn.
• Access to this course’s tests as well as a print and digital Certificate of Achievement once he/she is eligible.

Or buy unlimited for $ 279.99 for one year and gets:

• Access to this course, and hundreds of other FutureLearn short courses and tests for a year.
• A printable digital Certificate of Achievement on all short courses once they are eligible.
• The freedom to keep access to any course he/she has achieved a digital Certificate of Achievement on, for as long as the course exists on Future Learn.
• The flexibility to complete own choice of short courses in learner’s own time within the year.

See more available jobson For9a

See more opportunities in Canadaavailable on For9a