Logic: The Essentials

LOGIC: THE ESSENTIALS concentrates on the fundaments of introductory logic. Practical in orientation and content, Essentials is loaded with class-tested, proven practice exercises. This new text is based on the classic and bestselling textbook, A Concise Introduction to Logic, and nearly all of the exercises in the correlative chapters, so central to the effectiveness of that text, have been retained to ensure more than enough practice for students to master the central concepts. The book focuses largely on deductive logic, but it contains sufficient treatment of induction to provide a solid footing for informal fallacies. The result is a contemporary approach--more focused, more practical, less theoretical--built on a tradition of precise, elegant, and clear presentation of the subject matter of logic, both formal and informal.

Patrick Hurley received his bachelor's degree in mathematics (with a second major in philosophy and a minor in physics) from Gonzaga University in 1964 and his Ph.D. in philosophy of science with an emphasis in history of philosophy from Saint Louis University in 1973. In 1972, he began teaching at the University of San Diego, where his courses included logic, philosophy of science, metaphysics, process philosophy and legal ethics. In 1987, he received his J.D. from the University of San Diego, and he is currently a member of the California Bar Association. Retiring from teaching in 2008, Dr. Hurley continues his research and writing, including work on A CONCISE INTRODUCTION TO LOGIC and RELIGION, POWER AND ILLUSION (Prometheus Books, 2022). His interests include music, art, opera, environmental issues, fishing and skiing. He is married to Dr. Linda Peterson, who retired from teaching philosophy at the University of San Diego in 2015.