Logic & Philosophy of Science

Course Description


Course:  LPS/Phil 146/246
Name:  Modal Logic and Philosophy
Description:  This is an introduction to modal logic and some of its applications within philosophy. We will begin by studying the propositional modal logics K, K4, T, B, S4, and S5, both in terms of their deductive systems and in terms of their Kripke semantics. Soundness and completeness theorems for each of these logics will be proved in some detail. In terms of modal predicate logic, we will focus on various versions of S5, taking a primarily model-theoretic approach. We'll discuss some well-known expressive limitations of quantified S5 and consider some ways of alleviating these, including the introduction of an actuality operator in two-dimensional modal logic. Time permitting, we'll also cover the basics of the logic of counterfactual conditionals and/or tense logic.