PHIL 3321 MODAL LOGIC

Jim Garson Office: AH 502, Phone: x3208, Office Hours: MWF 2-3

email: jgarson@uh.edu

Books:

The course will be based on my book: Modal Logic for Philosophers

Other accessible books on modal logic include:

B. Chellas, Modal Logic, Cambridge, 1980.

A well thought out book with a technical outlook.

G. Hughes & M. Cresswell, An Introduction to Modal Logic, Methuen, 1968.

A classic. Somewhat dated, but comprehensive.

G. Hughes and M. Cresswell, A Companion to Modal Logic, Methuen, 1984.

Brings their previous book up to date.

K. Konyndyk, Introductory Modal Logic, Notre Dame, 1986.

A gentle introduction with philosophical topics.

Course Schedule (This is conservative estimate. I hope to cover more before the Midterm)

Aug. 20 - 27 1. The System K: A Basic Modal Logic

Aug. 29 - Sep. 7 2. Extensions of K

Sep. 10 -14 3. Basic Concepts of Intensional Semantics

Sep. 17 - 21 4. Trees for K

Sep. 24 - 28 5. The Accessibility Relation

Oct. 1 - 8 6. Trees for Extensions of K

Oct. 10 - 12 REVIEW

Oct. 15 MIDTERM EXAM

Oct. 17 - 24 7. Converting Trees to Proofs

Oct. 26 - Nov. 2 8. The Adequacy of Propositional Modal Logics

Nov. 5 - 12 9. Completeness Using Canonical Models

Nov. 14 - 26 10. - 11. General Results

Nov. 28 - 30 REVIEW OF THE COURSE

Dec 12 FINAL

At the beginning of each class, I will assign the reading and exercises for the following class. Completing exercises in a timely way is crucial for success in this course. You are expected to turn in the exercises on the day they are due. Please get in touch with me if you have to miss a class, so that you can complete, and turn in, the work you have missed on the day you return. You grade will be determined as follows:

Exercises: 40%, Midterm Exam: 25%, Final: 35% .