Before studying philosophy, whether it is the philosophy of Plato or C. S. Lewis, students should develop a clear understanding of formal logic. This semester-long course will help students learn more advanced aspects of formal logic, including the ability to recognize, analyze, and create complex syllogisms, hypothetical syllogisms, and enthymemes. Students with practice applying this knowledge in advanced reasoning to other areas of study in order to strengthen their analytical thinking, which will naturally lead to stronger essays and discussions.

Course Objectives

• Understand basic elements of concept classification
• Comprehend proper sequencing of related complex ideas
• Properly identify and fill in missing parts of a syllogism
• Recognize complex syllogisms in philosophy, literature, and everyday situations
• Comprehend value of inference in complex statements
• Practice proper use of inference
• Construct complex syllogisms
• Test soundness of complex syllogisms