[FOM] BUFFALO LOGIC COLLOQUIUM 2004-2005 SECOND SUMMER ANNOUNCEMENT

[John Corcoran]

BUFFALO LOGIC COLLOQUIUM
2004-2005 SECOND SUMMER ANNOUNCEMENT
QUOTE OF THE MONTH: The purpose of the symbolic language in mathematical
logic is to achieve in logic what it has achieved in mathematics,
namely, an exact scientific treatment of its subject-matter. The logical
relations which hold with regard to judgments, concepts, etc., are
represented by formulas whose interpretation is free from the
ambiguities so common in ordinary language. The transition from
statements to their logical consequences, as occurs in the drawing of
conclusions, is analyzed into its primitive elements, and appears as a
formal transformation of the initial formulas in accordance with certain
rules, similar to the rules of algebra; logical thinking is reflected in
a logical calculus. This calculus makes possible a successful attack on
problems whose nature precludes their solution by purely intuitive
logical thinking. Among these, for instance, is the problem of
characterizing those statements which can be deduced from given
premises. Hilbert-Ackermann 1928/38/50, 1

 
FIRST MEETING
Wednesday, June 30, 2004	12:00-1:30 P.M.	141 Park Hall
SPEAKER: Leonard Jacuzzo
TITLE: Asymmetry of Methods and the Purpose of Studying Logic
Abstract: Gerald Massey has argued that there is an asymmetry of methods
in logic. Massey's contention is that though there is a method of
establishing that a valid argument is valid, there is no method of
determining that an invalid argument is invalid. Massey's evidence for
his conclusion entails a philosophy of logic that is at odds with the
Buffalo School of Logic. This essay explores the differences between the
standard textbook conception of logic which Massey employs and the
conception of logic explicit in the work of John Corcoran. This will
consider two distinct meanings of the term 'argument' as well as
distinct notions of the role of a logical theory in investigating
arguments. Since many introductory logic courses focus on teaching the
use of modern symbolic methods to study arguments, recognizing these
differences will have pedagogical importance. 

SECOND MEETING
Wednesday, July 7, 2004	12:00-1:30 P.M.	141 Park Hall
SPEAKER: John Corcoran, Philosophy, University at Buffalo
TITLE: Meanings of Statement, Proposition, and Sentence 

THIRD MEETING 
Wednesday, July 14, 2004	12:00-1:30 P.M.	141 Park Hall
SPEAKER: John Corcoran, Philosophy, University at Buffalo
TITLE: Meanings of Schema 
FOURTH MEETING
Wednesday, July 21, 2004	12:00-1:30 P.M.	141 Park Hall
SPEAKER: David Hitchcock, Philosophy, McMaster University.
TITLE: Stoic Propositional Logic : a New Reconstruction
FIFTH MEETING
Wednesday, July,28 2004	12:00-1:30 P.M.	141 Park Hall
SPEAKER: John Corcoran, Philosophy, University at Buffalo
TITLE: Meanings of Argument (tentative)
THESE ARE BROWN-BAG MEETINGS. COME WHEN YOU ARE FREE. BRING LUNCH. LEAVE
WHEN YOU HAVE TO. ALL ARE WELCOME

If you wish to receive this schedule via email, please send your name
and email address to John Corcoran at his email address below. For
further information email: John Corcoran : corcoran at buffalo.edu

-