Accessibility statement

Reason & Argument - PHI00005C

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  • Department: Philosophy
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: C
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24

Module summary

This module introduces some of the key logical concepts and skills that are used throughout Philosophy. Students will learn how to symbolise an argument in a formal language, and then test the argument for validity.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2023-24

Module aims

To introduce some of the key logical concepts and skills that are used throughout Philosophy.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students should be able to:

  • Explain key logical concepts, such as validity, consistency, and necessity.

  • Symbolise simple arguments in Truth-Functional Logic (TFL).

  • Use truth-tables to test arguments in TFL for tautological validity.

  • Symbolise complex arguments in First-Order Logic (FOL).

  • Construct a counter-interpretation to demonstrate that an argument is not valid in FOL.

  • Construct a proof to demonstrate that an argument is valid in FOL.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) 67
Open Exam (5 days) 33

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

Summative Assessments

Open exam (33%), Week 6 Semester 2

Online exam (67%), end of Semester 2 assessment period

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 67
Open Exam (5 days) 33

Module feedback

All feedback will be returned in accordance with University and Departmental policy.

Indicative reading

forallx: York Edition, available at www.RTrueman.com/forallx/


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.