A First Course in Logic, Gold Edition - Hardcover

Carter, K. Codell

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0321277325 ISBN 13: 9780321277329

Publisher: Pearson, 2004

Synopsis

Providing students with a more understandable introduction to logic without sacrificing rigor, A First Course in Logic presents topics and methods in a highly accessible and integrated manner. By integrating and comparing topics throughout and using the same examples in different chapters, the author shows the utility and limitations of each method of logic. Consistent pedagogical structure helps students learn and study better; the introduction now emphasizes strategies and tactics for applying memorization rules. One-of-a-kind LSAT-type exercises apply logic to pre-professional exams. This Gold Edition of the text now uses more standard notation and has been thoroughly class-tested and revised for absolute accuracy of information.

About this title

About the Author

K. Codell Carter believes that teaching should be a conversation between friends, and he wrote A First Course in Logic to reflect this ideal. He has taught more than four thousand beginning logic students throughout his teaching career.

Carter is currently a professor at Brigham Young University where, in addition to logic courses, he teaches courses on the history of philosophy (especially Kant and Marx) along with freshman and junior level writing courses. He received his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and his Masters of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Utah and holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Cornell University.

His publications include works on 19th and 20th Century medicine, and when not thinking about ways to make the study of logic more relevant to students' lives, he enjoys backpacking, gardening, fly fishing, old books, and mountain lakes above the timberline.

Review

"¿Carter's book is superior, hands down... I look forward to using it [in my course]."
—Stephen C. Leach, Minnesota State University, Mankato

"I am particularly impressed by how well integrated the whole text is. Professor Carter does a splendid job of preparing students for what will come later in the text, and reminding them of what came before. I believe that Professor Carter has made a real contribution to logic texts..."
—Brian Domino, Miami University, Ohio

"The frequent use of the same examples is one of the more striking things about the Carter text."
—Richard Lee, University of Arkansas

"I think that writing a good introductory logic text is a daunting task, but Carter has managed it very well. I would seriously consider using his text."
—Robert J. Delete, Seattle University

"The author proposes a worthy set of goals for the introductory logic book and succeeds admirably in achieving them¿ the book covers the right subjects in the right order with the right amount of detail and in the right ways...Carter's use of the same proofs in more than one context is an ingenious way to achieve his goal of demonstrating the unity of logic as a discipline... A First Course in Logic is extremely well written. Each topic is clearly explained in direct, engaging language¿ This is an excellent textbook for the introductory logic course. Its central strengths are the clarity and accessibility of the writing style, the consistency of its development of deductive proofs in different levels of logical discourse, and the helpful descriptions of the historical contexts in which each of the elements of logic were developed¿K. Codell Carter is to be congratulated for a job well done."
—Garth Kemerling, Newberry College, SC

"The sections on the history of logic are excellent! The text is successful in presenting logic as a unified discipline. This is something that is missing from all of the major texts, and I commend the author for it. Another unique element is the focus on LSAT questions. These exercises are invaluable¿The repetition of proofs is an excellent idea! Seeing the different approaches to the same argument is an excellent pedagogical tool."
—William T. Myers, Birmingham Southern College

"The inclusion of LSAT-style questions throughout the text is a bit of genius... Not only do they allow for some variety, but many of my students take Logic purely as LSAT preparation. Integrating these problems into the main flow of a course is a great strength of the author's approach."
—Peter Bradley, Washington University in St. Louis

"His examples and exercises are one of the book¿s main strengths... I find Carter's [writing] style immensely appealing. He gives an example for almost every claim he makes, and the examples are easy to follow and compelling. His writing is clear, straight-forward, and flows easily¿ He's chosen [the examples] cleverly with a mix from both "everyday" and philosophical sources. I especially like those from literature, especially novels... The LSAT material is highly desirable. A fair number of students do take Introductory Logic as an aid on the LSAT, and the material aimed directly at that will not only be helpful to them, but a 'pull' for more students to the course."
—Houston Craighead, Winthrop University, South Carolina

Edition details

• Publisher: Pearson
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0321277325
• ISBN 13: 9780321277329
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 560