An Introduction to Formal Logic

Formal logic provides us with a powerful set of techniques for criticizing some arguments and showing others to be valid. These techniques are relevant to all of us with an interest in being skilful and accurate reasoners.

In this very accessible book, extensively revised and rewritten for the second edition, Peter Smith presents a guide to the fundamental aims and basic elements of formal logic. He introduces the reader to the languages of propositional and predicate logic, and develops natural deduction systems for evaluating arguments translated into these languages. His discussion is richly illustrated with worked examples and exercises, and alongside the formal work there is illuminating philosophical commentary. This book, a corrected reprint of an edition first published by CUP, will make an ideal text for a first logic course and will provide a firm basis for further work in formal and philosophical logic.

Peter Smith was formerly Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Cambridge.