Logic is essential to correct reasoning and also has important theoretical applications in philosophy, computer science, linguistics, and mathematics. This book provides an exceptionally clear introduction to classical logic, with a unique approach that emphasizes both the hows and whys of logic. Here Nicholas Smith thoroughly covers the formal tools and techniques of logic while also imparting a deeper understanding of their underlying rationales and broader philosophical significance. In addition, this is the only introduction to logic available today that presents all the major forms of proof—trees, natural deduction in all its major variants, axiomatic proofs, and sequent calculus. The book also features numerous exercises, with solutions available on an accompanying website.
Logic is the ideal textbook for undergraduates and graduate students seeking a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the subject.
- Provides an essential introduction to classical logic
- Emphasizes the how and why of logic
- Covers both formal and philosophical issues
- Presents all the major forms of proof—from trees to sequent calculus
- Features numerous exercises, with solutions available at http://njjsmith.com/philosophy/lawsoftruth/
- The ideal textbook for undergraduates and graduate students
Nicholas J. J. Smith is senior lecturer in philosophy at the University of Sydney in Australia. He is the author of Vagueness and Degrees of Truth.
"[I]f you are a teacher in the market for a new logic text, or a student looking for very helpful reading, this could indeed be the book for you."—Logic Matters
"This book provides an excellent comprehensive introduction to classical first-order logic with identity. It has the expected virtues of clarity, precision and accessibility. . . . The book deserves to be used widely, both as a text for courses and for self-study."—Greg O'Hair, Australasian Journal of Philosophy
"You will find this book outstanding whenever you read it, but you'll be even smarter if you read it before other, even excellent, logic books in your library."—George Hacken, Computing Reviews
"[T]his volume displays a masterly combination of clarity, friendliness to the beginning student with technical accuracy, and carefully thought out choice of topics that is hard to find on the market. Smith succeeds in introducing his readers to the complexities of symbolic logic in a very gentle manner—there is not a formula or a definition in the book that is not thoroughly explained or illustrated with an abundance of examples."—F. Paoli, History and Philosophy of Logic
"An excellent textbook for an undergraduate course on this topic."—Peter W. Evans, Philosophy in Review
"Smith's book combines accessibility with comprehensiveness in a way that I have not found in other texts. It is very readable and well paced, but does not sacrifice precision. Difficult issues aren't glossed over or skipped, but are introduced at a gentle pace for novice logicians. As a teacher of logic, I see real benefits in Smith's approach."—Jennifer Duke-Yonge, Macquarie University, Australia
"Lots of books aim to provide a first introduction to symbolic logic. I predict that this one will be widely adopted throughout the English-speaking world. One of its unique strengths is that it broaches important philosophical issues that naturally arise in connection with symbolic logic. The book thus serves both as an introduction to logic itself and to the philosophy of logic."—Stewart Shapiro, editor of The Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Mathematics and Logic
