PHIL-1110 Logic and Critical Reasoning
(TEXTS & CONTEXTS) The goal of this course is to learn how to identify, critique, and form reasons to believe things. We explore the essentials of arguments and logic. Sample topics might include: How do emotions relate to critical reasoning? What is an expert, and who should we believe when experts disagree? What are common fallacies in reasoning? We will use truth tables, valid inferences, and Venn diagrams to prove whether an argument is valid. We also study how to spot an argument in the wild (e.g., in media, entertainment, other venues) in order to evaluate it. In the final part of the course, we apply these tools to philosophical topics like: Does God exist? What makes an action right or wrong? What is privacy? What is the meaning of life? Formerly PHI-150.