Thread: Book recommendation for beginning statement logic?

Hello All,

I am preparing to study mathematical linguistics and I must first master elementary statement and predicate logic. I have absolutely no background in formal systems or logic, and I would need an introductory text that assumes no previous knowledge of such things. Can anyone recommend a book on this topic that (preferably) includes exercises and would cover at least the following points:

*Logic syntax and semantics
*Tautologies, contradictions, contingencies
*Natural deduction?

If possible, one available in pdf form would be wonderful!

Thank you very much in advance for any recommendations.

The Schaum's Outline of Logic covers all of those. I don't believe it uses the term "natural deduction", but it does develop a natural deduction system of deduction. I don't think it contains the term "contingency", but as soon as you talk about tautologies and contradictions, and realize some wffs in logic are neither tautologies nor contradictions, those wffs come as contingencies. The Schaum's Outline of Logic also has a lot of solved problems, making it excellent for self-study or beginning study.

Originally Posted by panglot

If possible, one available in pdf form would be wonderful!

I know the University of California, Davis, philosophy department has one they use for the introductory courses. From what I recall, glancing over its files, it covers the basics. The things you list are typical in any introductory text.

UC Davis: Logic Primer : A Modern Formal Logic Primer

Just click on the link to the files at the bottom of the page.

Originally Posted by panglot

Hello All,

I am preparing to study mathematical linguistics and I must first master elementary statement and predicate logic. I have absolutely no background in formal systems or logic, and I would need an introductory text that assumes no previous knowledge of such things. Can anyone recommend a book on this topic that (preferably) includes exercises and would cover at least the following points:

*Logic syntax and semantics
*Tautologies, contradictions, contingencies
*Natural deduction?

If possible, one available in pdf form would be wonderful!

Thank you very much in advance for any recommendations.

I'm a fan of Barwise and Etchemendy's Language, Proof and Logic. It has some very nice accompanying software and has clear explanations. This is a symbolic logic text. If you want general logic, I'd probably go with Copi and Cohen.