What is Logic?
What is Logic?
• The study of the methods and principles
used to evaluate arguments and
inferences.
• To distinguish good reasonings from bad
reasonings.
What is an “Argument”?
• Disagreement?
• Criticize someone?
• Debate?
Example (1)
• Pascal’s Wager
If you believe in God and God does exists, you will go to heaven
and have infinite gain
If you do not believe in God, and God does exist, you will go to
hell and have infinite loss.
If you believe in God and God does not exists, nothing to lose.
If you do not believe in God and God does not exists, nothing to
gain.
Therefore, it is better to believe in God.
Example (2)
八半走堂論証
要出席八時半的課堂則要很早起床。早起床則會很睏。
很睏就會不小心睡著，那樣就變成在課室睡覺。
既然在家睡和在課室也是睡，而且一樣沒有辦法學習，
在家裡睡還比較舒服。我還是不去上八時半的課
Argument
Provide reason(s)/evidence for supporting
the conclusion
- 例如八半走堂論証
- 結論:不去上八時半的課
Evaluate Arguments
Example 1
1. 如果今天宣佈黑色暴雨警告，則學生不用上課。
2. 今天宣佈黑色暴雨警告。
_____________________________________
3. 學生不用上課。
Example 2
1.如果今天宣佈黑色暴雨警告，則學生不用上課。
2. 學生不用上課。
_____________________________________
3. 今天宣佈黑色暴雨警告。
Reasons for studying Logic
Detect and be alert to
inconsistencies and common
mistakes in reasoning.
Try to avoid making common
mistakes in reasoning.
so that
You are able to make better
decisions and judgments.
Have higher chances to convince
somebody successfully.
Evaluate An Argument
When you make decisions
「工就最多番2年， 女就對一世。
你覺得揀岩，邊樣重要啲？」」
「難得脫苦海又有機會追夢，人
生點可以唔試，去左先算啦」
When you make judgments
Construct An Argument
• When you write an essay
• When you submit your homework after the
deadline
• When you apply a job
Topics
Basic Concepts
Categorical Syllogisms
Symbolic Language and Truth Table
Natural Deduction in Propositional Logic
Inductive Reasoning
Informal Fallacies
Cognitive Biases
Basic Concepts
How to recognize and evaluate
argument?
•Validity and soundness
•Strength and Cogency
Deductive and Inductive Reasoning
Different Concepts of Possibility
Categorical Syllogisms
1. 所有中大學生都是聰明人。
2. 所有聰明人都是愛邏輯的人。
3. 所有中大學生都是愛邏輯的人。
Symbolic Language and Truth Table
Translating the argument from natural
language to symbolic language
Proof of validity by truth table
Indirect Truth table
p q pvq
T T T
T F T
F T T
F F F
Natural Deduction in Propositional Logic
[Link] of Inference
[Link] Proof
3. Indirect Proof
Rule of inference:
1. Modus ponens (MP):
p⊃q
p
∴ q
Inductive Reasoning
Evaluation of Inductive Argument
-Strength and Cogency
Different types of Inductive Reasoning
Examples:
1. 在過往每天太陽都從東方升起。所以明
天太陽很可能會從東方升起。
2. 約95 % 的中大學生都搭港鐵去中大。小
文是中大學生。所以他很可能是搭港鐵
去中大。
Informal Fallacies
甲:不少人說海綿寶寶只是卡通，深海裡
根本沒有海綿寶寶，我認為他們都錯了。
乙:???你憑甚麼這樣說?
甲:至今都沒有証據証明海綿寶寶不存在，
他當然存在呀。
Appeal to ignorance
(訴諸無知)
Cognitive Biases
你猜紐埃的人口大概是多少？
瓦努阿圖(AKA 我想住的地方)人口約243,300。
Cognitive Biases
Ans: ~1,260
Surprised?!
This is related to a cognitive bias called
Anchoring Effect
Info
Teacher :
Chan Hei Man
Contact Method:
heimanchan001@[Link]
Consultation
If you want to have a zoom/f2f consultation,
please email me to arrange a consultation
session.
Assessment Scheme
Task nature Description Weight
Mid-term Exam Exam 40%
Final Exam Exam 50%
Class participation# In-class Discussion 10%
#- 10% for class participation will be graded based on either
Your performance in the class and the discussions on Blackboard Learn,
including asking and answering questions. (e.g. ureply questions)
Recommended Learning Resource
1. Hurley, P. (2015). A Concise Introduction to
Logic (12th ed.). Australia ; Stanford, Ct.:
Cengage Learning.
University Library Reserve 2 hours
BC108 .H83 2015
United College Wu Chung Library
2. Lau, Joe Y. F., An Introduction to Critical
Thinking and Creativity: Think More, Think
Better. Hoboken, N.J: Wiley, 2011
3. 貝剛毅：《思方導航》（香港：滙智出版
社，2011 年）