INTRODUCTION TO LOGIC

Dear Friends of Objectivism,

We are pleased to announce that we will be offering Dr. Leonard Peikoff's audio lecture course: Introduction to Logic. Since the course consists of roughly 27 hours of material, we will only be listening to the first disc of each of the 10 lectures in the course. To keep pace with the group, participants are required to listen to the remaining portions of each of the lectures on their own time.

In order to attend and participate in the discussion after each lecture, participants must purchase the downloadable version through The Ayn Rand Institute (ARI), unless a copy of the course is already owned.

Couples (or families) are only to required to purchase one complete set of lectures.

We anticipate that our meetings will be scheduled approximately every two weeks. There are no additional charges to participate in the study group, although donations for the organizer’s time and the use of the facility would be appreciated.

The complete lecture series (consisting of 27 hours) can be purchased/downloaded from the Ayn Rand Institute eStore: $9.24

In agreement with The Ayn Rand Institute Bookstore, participants are required to provide proof of purchase of the lecture series prior to attending our meetings. Proof of purchase can be provided by email, by bringing a printed receipt or your set of the original CDs.
If you are willing to donate some refreshments such as nuts, cookies, drinks or fruit, please call or E-mail me.

We look forward to seeing you!
The Culture of Reason Center Policies:

Ideas expressed in any of the materials, lectures or books sold or presented do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Culture of Reason Center (CRC) or its leadership.

CRC is an independent entity and is not affiliated with nor endorsed by The Ayn Rand Institute, The Atlas Society or any other organizations.

No children (under the age of 18) are permitted during lecture periods.

Participants are expected to make childcare arrangements.

In the event of inclement weather or an emergency, we reserve the right to cancel or reschedule our events.

CRC will not share your contact information with any other organization without your permission.

Appropriate dress is required (business/casual suggested).

CRC has the right to refuse any person access to these events for any reason, at any time. Students, members and or guests may also be dismissed from the premises at any time and for any reason.

Audio-lectures may not be recorded.

Note taking is permitted.

Audio-Lecture/Discussion Board Civility Expectations: Students, members and guests are expected to use appropriate language and treat fellow participants with courtesy, civility and respect at all times. To participate in our audio-lecture discussion periods or facebook discussion boards, you are expected to refrain from personal (ad hominem) attacks against other CRC members, prominent Objectivists, or even controversial Objectivist lecturers and or writers. Disrespectful or hostile comments towards Objectivism, The Culture of Reason Center, The Ayn Rand Institute or The Atlas Society are considered inappropriate. Please be aware that that our civility expectations are intended only to be a restriction of how you present yourself and not a restriction on the body or content of your ideas, opinions or individual judgments. Thank you!

Introduction to Logic 

Course Description:

This course (with exercises) covers the standard topics taught in introductory courses in Aristotelian logic. It defines the principles of valid reasoning, and discusses prevalent logical fallacies. It formalizes the steps by which one derives conclusions from premises, and it provides a methodology by which to evaluate one's own thinking processes. (Each lecture includes a question period.)

1. Basic Logical Theory
The cognitive role of logic. The laws of logic and their validation. Logic vs. mysticism and subjectivism. Logic and reality.

2-3. Informal Fallacies
Twenty-two common fallacies, including: the appeal to authority, ad hominem, ad populum, ad ignorantiam, begging the question, equivocation, composition, division, misuse of the mean and false alternative.

4. Introduction to Deductive Reasoning
The nature of deductive argument. Validity and truth. Mixed and pure hypothetical arguments. Alternative arguments.

5.-6. The Aristotelian Syllogism
Categorical propositions. Immediate inference. Rules of syllogistic validity. Analyzing arguments in ordinary language.

7-8. Definition
The cognitive role of definitions. Genus and differentia. The method of formulating valid definitions: five Aristotelian rules of definition. Definitional fallacies.

9-10. Inductive Generalization
Induction vs. deduction. Induction by simple enumeration. Experimental induction: Mill's methods of discovering causal connections. Major inductive fallacies, including: hasty generalization, oversimplified generalization, post hoc. The justification of induction. The argument from analogy.

(MP3 download; 26 hrs., 59 min., 1.16 GB)

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