Modal Logics and Philosophy

by Rod Girle

In Part 1 the reader is introduced to some standard systems of modal logic and encouraged through a series of exercises to become proficient in manipulating these logics. The emphasis is on possible world semantics for modal logics and the semantic emphasis is carried into the formal method, Jeffrey-style truth-trees. Standard truth-trees are extended in a simple and transparent way to take possible worlds into account. Part 2 systematically explores the applications of modal logic to philosophical issues such as truth, time, processes, knowledge and belief, obligation and permission. Accessible, authoritative, and assured, Modal Logics and Philosophy requires no more background than the completion of a standard introductory logic course. It will be welcomed not only by students looking for a bridge between introductory logic texts and the high-level technical literature but as a guide to, and exploration of, work at the forefront of logic and philosophy.

Genres: Philosophy, Logic, Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2000

Reviews

[Mohammad Pouya · Rating 4 out of 5]

این کتاب، برای تبیین استنتاجهای موجهات، به جای روش فیچ از روش درختی استفاده کرده. این روش علیرغم اینکه هم مکانیکی‌ست و هم سمنتیک موجهات رو خصوصا در نظام S5 به خوبی نشون میده، اما فهم نظامهای موجهاتی رو دشوار میکنه. همچنین نویسنده، روش درختی رو مبتنی بر سمنتیک ضرورت و امکان، با جهانهای ممکن توضیح داده. این یه مقدار محدودیت ایجاد میکنه برای اینکه سمنتیکهای دیگه رو درست بفهمیم.
اما مثالها و تمارین بسیار خوبی داره و نویسنده، بسیار دقیق و با توضیح عالی، مطالب رو تبیین کرده. در تعریف از کتاب، همین بس که پیتر اسمیت، در کتاب «به خود منطق بیاموزیم» برای خودآموزی موجهات، دو کتاب فقط معرفی کرده که اولیش همین کتابه.

[Brandon Whitaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very helpful and well-written tour of the characteristics and applications of the modal logics. The reader will want to be familiar with the basics of propositional and predicate symbolic logic. There are plenty of examples in order to practice with the deduction rules, and the philosophical section serves as an excellent and accessible primer to the extension of modal logic into a variety of fields such as epistemology, ethics, and dynamics. If you are grounded in basic logic and are looking to extend into the modal world, this is a great resource.