Formal Logic

The study of the connections between mathematical automata and for­ mal logic is as old as theoretical computer science itself. In the founding paper of the subject, published in 1936, Turing showed how to describe the behavior of a universal computing machine with a formula of first­ order predicate logic, and thereby concluded that there is no algorithm for deciding the validity of sentences in this logic.

The present work constitutes an effort to approach the subject of symbol­ ic logic at the elementary to intermediate level in a novel way. The book is a study of a number of systems, their methods, their rela­ tions, their differences. In pursuit of this goal, a chapter explaining basic concepts of modern logic together with the truth-table techniques of definition and proof is first set out. In Chapter 2 a kind of ur-Iogic is built up and deductions are made on the basis of its axioms and rules. This axiom system, resembling a propositional system of Hilbert and Ber­ nays, is called P +, since it is a positive logic, i. e. , a logic devoid of nega­tion.

Rigorous yet engaging and accessible, Introduction to Formal Logic with Philosophical Applications is composed of two parts.

There are many kinds of books on formal logic. Some have philosophers as their intended audience, some mathematicians, some computer scien­ tists. Although there is a common core to all such books, they will be very different in emphasis, methods, and even appearance.

This book introduces the notions and methods of formal logic from a computer science standpoint, covering propositional logic, predicate logic, and foundations of logic programming. It presents applications and themes of computer science research such as resolution, automated deduction, and logic programming in a rigorous but readable way.