PHL 467 / MA 467, Mathematical Logic                                                                                 Dr. Poston

11 to 12:15, TR HUMB 114                                                                                                    Office: HUMB 124

Office Hours:                                                                                                                          Phone: 460-6248

MF 9:15 to 9:45; MWF 2:30-3:00;

TR 12:30pm to 1:30pm

Email: mylastname@jaguar1.usouthal.edu

Course Webpage: http://www.southalabama.edu/philosophy/poston/mathlogic.htm

 

Course Description:

 

This is a course in mathematical logic that will introduce important aspects of the first-order predicate logic and its extensions.  First-order predicate logic is the most powerful system of deductive inference that is provably complete.  The extensions of first order logic include axiom systems formulated within it such as the Peano Axioms for the natural numbers.  A number of important facts have been proven about first-order logic and its extensions, and we will examine some of them.  These facts include: (1) soundness and completeness for first-order predicate logic; (2) the undecidability of first-order predicate logic; (3) an axiomization of arithmetic in first-order predicate logic; (4) Cantor’s proof of transfinite numbers; (5) the compactness theorem—if every finite subset of a set of sentences has a model, the whole set has a model; (6) the (downward) Lowenheim-Skolem theorem—if a set of sentences has a model, it has an enumerable model; (7) The upward Lowenheim-Skolem theorem—If a set of sentences has an infinite model, is has a nonenumerable model; (8) the (abstract) Godel completeness theorem: The set of valid sentences is semirecursive; and (9) Godel’s first incompleteness theorem according to which any sufficiently strong formal system of arithmetic must be incomplete, if it is consistent. 

 

The course does not required knowledge of mathematics beyond basic linear algebra.  However, it will assume that you are comfortable with some standard methods of mathematical definition and proof, so previous college-level course works in mathematics (at least one course at the 300 level or higher) or logic (PHL 321) is required.  In some special cases I will waive these requirements.  If you do not meet these requirements and wish to take the course please speak with me.

 

Texts:

 

Jeffrey, Richard.  Formal Logic: Its Scope and Limits 4th edition.  (FL) Hackett Publishing Company.  Available at the University Book Store.

 

Boolos, Burgress, & Jeffrey.  Computability and Logic 5th edition.  (CL) Cambridge University Press.  Available at the University Book Store.

 

 

Helpful Resources:

 

Pollock, J. Technical Methods in Philosophy.  (TMP) Westview Press, 1990.  Available online at: http://oscarhome.soc-sci.arizona.edu/ftp/PAPERS/TM/TM.pdf

 

Causey, R.  Logic, Sets and Recursion.  (LSR) 2nd Edition, 2006. 

 

http://mathworld.wolfram.com/

 

The HarperCollins Dictionary of Mathematics Collins, 1991.

 

http://www.math.lsa.umich.edu/research/logic/

 

http://world.logic.at/

 

http://plato.stanford.edu/contents.html  (see entries under logic)

 

Course Goals:

  • Familiarity with sentential and first order logic, including elementary metatheory and formal semantics.
  • Exposure to and practice with a variety of technical concepts and methods in mathematical logic (recursion, formal definitions, mathematical induction, axiom systems, etc.)
  • Familiarity with basic Peano Arithmetic, the Recursion Theorem, and the Completeness, Soundness, and Compactness theorems for first-order logic.
  • Improved proof-writing skills (both formal and informal).

 

Course Policies and Procedures:

 

Attendance: Attendance in lectures is expected.  If you want to receive a good grade in the course then you will need to come to class.  Each day I will introduce new material and each class builds on the previous class.  If you must miss class get the notes from one of your fellow students and make sure you understand the notes.

 

Make-up Work: Only in exceptional circumstances will I reschedule homework assignments or exams.  If you *have* to miss an exam contact me as soon as possible.  You must notify me at least one week prior to the exam.  If, for example, you break your arm before class then take an aspirin, come to class, and go to the hospital after class. 

After all, you still have one good arm to write with! 

Disabilities Policy: If you have a specific disability that qualifies you for academic accommodations, please notify me and provide certification from Disability Services (Office of Special Students Services). The Office of Special Students Services is located in the Student Center , Room 270, Phone 460-7212.

 

Academic Dishonesty Policy: Academic dishonesty includes cheating on tests and homework as well as plagiarism.  If you engage in academic dishonesty, I will notify you that you will receive an ‘F’ in the course. Upon being notified, you have five days to submit a written request to the department chairperson for a hearing on the matter, if you wish to have one. If no hearing request is made, or if the decision from the hearing goes against you, you will receive a course grade of ‘F’. Please see the Student Academic Conduct Policy of the University for details.

 

Note on homework:  Naturally you may study with other students, but do your homework on your own. In the past I have discovered plagiarized homework: in such cases the above-stated policy applies.  Also, homework is due at the beginning of class on the day listed.  I accept only clearly written homework.  I recommend typing the homework if your handwriting is notorious.  I will not grade any homework that I cannot easily read.

 

Evaluation:

 

2 Take-Home exams, each exam is worth 25% of your total grade.

 

12 Quizzes, collectively worth 25% of your total grade.  These quizzes will consist largely of being able to give crucial definitions and to do proofs (sometimes I’ll just ask you to prove a crucial lemma).  I will announce ahead of time which proofs & definitions you should know.

 

Homework assignments, collectively worth 25% of your total grade.  We will have short HW assignments do each day.  The goal of these assignments is to make sure you are learning the course material and tracking along as the course progresses.  

 

Schedule:

 

The schedule will develop as we go. 

 

 

Daily Plan

Reading

Quizzes

Tuesday, 1.13

Intro & TF Logic

Ch 1, FL

 

Thursday, 1.15

Truth Trees

Ch 2, FL

 

Tuesday, 1.20

Generality

Ch 3, FL

 

Thursday, 1.22

Generality

Ch 3, FL

Q1

Tuesday, 1.27

Multiple Generality

Ch 3 & 4, FL

 

Thursday, 1.29

Multiple Generality

Ch 4, FL

Q2

Tuesday, 2.03

Identity

Ch 5, FL

Thursday, 2.05

Functions, Group Theory, Robinson Arithmetic

Ch 6, FL

 

Tuesday, 2.10

Group Theory, Robinson Arithmetic, Turing Machines

Ch 7, FL & Ch 3 CL

 

Thursday, 2.12

Turing Machines, The Halting Problem

Ch 3 & 4 CL

Q3

Tuesday, 2.17

Turing Machines, The Halting Problem

Ch 7, FL

 

Thursday, 2.19

Register Machines, Godel Numbering

Ch 7, FL

Tuesday 2.24

Mardi Gras

 

Thursday, 2.26

Programs in Logical Notation, Undecidability

Ch 8, FL

Q4

Tuesday, 3.03

Undecidability

Ch 8, FL

Q5

Thursday, 3.05

Undecidability

Ch 8, FL

Tuesday, 3.10

Incompleteness

Ch 9, FL

Q6

Thursday, 3.12

Incompleteness

Ch 9, FL

 

Tuesday, 3.17

SPRING BREAK

 

Thursday, 3.19

SPRING BREAK

Tuesday, 3.24

Midterm Exam

Exam

Thursday, 3.26

Go over Midterm

Tuesday, 3.31

Enumerability

Ch 1, CL

Thursday, 4.2

Diagonalization

Ch 2, CL

Q7

Tuesday, 4.7

Recursive Functions

Ch 6, CL

Thursday, 4.9

Recursive Sets & Relations

Ch 7, CL

Q8

Tuesday, 4.14

Syntax & Semantics

Chs 9 & 10, CL

Thursday, 4.16

Models

Ch 12, CL

Q9

Tuesday, 4.21

Compactness & Lowenheim-Skolem theorems

Ch 15, CL

Thursday, 4.23

Arithmetization

Ch 16, CL

Q10

Tuesday, 4.28

Representability of Recursive Functions

Ch 17, CL

Thursday, 4.30

Indefinability, Undecidability, Incompleteness

Q11

Tuesday, 5.5

Final Exam, 10:30 to 12:30