Logic for Everyone
From Proof to Paradox

An introduction to logic as a living field connecting it with other fields including philosophy, computer science, and linguistics.

Jason Decker (Author)

9781009220538, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 17 April 2025

461 pages
26 x 18.5 x 3 cm, 1.46 kg

'This is an extremely well-written and well-organized book that I highly recommend to undergraduate students and to anyone else who wants to gain a thorough understanding of elementary logic. The book addresses a remarkably broad range of topics in logic in a student-friendly and engaging fashion. It is a treat to read.' Christopher Daly, University of Manchester

A rigorous, yet accessible and entertaining introduction to the field of logic, this book provides students with a unique insight into logic as a living field and how it connects to other fields of inquiry including philosophy, computer science, linguistics, and mathematics. With no background knowledge needed, students are introduced to a critical examination of 'classical logic', and the technical issues and paradoxes that may be encountered. Each chapter includes key pedagogical features such as marginal notes, definitions, chapter summaries and practice exercises. Arguments are backed up by authentic examples of logic within natural languages and everyday life. The flexible chapter structure allows instructors to tailor their teaching for either a one-semester or two-semester course, according to their students' needs and knowledge. Online resources include a companion website featuring further readings, class handouts, LaTeX resources, along with an Online Proof Evaluator allowing students to get real-time feedback.

1. The Foundations of Classical Propositional Logic
2. Truth-Functionality and the Boolean Connectives
3. Truth, Consequence, and Explosions!
4. Rules for Boolean Connectives
5. Cracks in the Utopian Vision: Apparent Disconnects Between PL and Natural Language, and how Pragmatics Might Help
6. Conditionals I
7. Conditionals II
8. Logical Form, Hidden Form, and Deep Structure
9. Truth-Functional Completeness Etc.
10. From Aristotelian Logic to Quantifiers and Variables
11. The Foundations of Quantified Logic and the System QL
12. Formal Semantics for PL and QL
13. Controversy Over How to Handle Descriptions
14. Natural Deduction Rules for QL
15. QL Proof Strategies, Advice, and Derived Rules
16. More Cracks: Reference Failure
17. Semantic Tableaux
18. Completeness and Soundness Worries (and Prospects for Their Resolutions)
19. The Journey From Extension to Intension
20. Lambdas!
21. The Sorites Paradox and the Problem of Vagueness
22. The Liar and its Descendants
23. Finding a Way Forward.

Subject Areas: Semantics, discourse analysis, etc [CFG]