Modal Logic

An introduction to fine-structure logics of intensionality broadly conceived

Philosophy 154, Stanford, Spring Quarter 2011

MW 2:15 - 3:30 PM, 260-244

Aim of the course

Modal logic started as the study of intensional expressions of modality, time,
knowledge, conditionality, or causality, mainly by a group of philosophers
trying to soften the extensionalist stance of modern mathematical logic.
By now, it has become a broad area of research of 'fine-structure' in reasoning
and definability, forming a sort of lingua france between many disciplines:
philosophy, computer science, linguistics, economics, and others.

In this course, you will learn the technical basics of modal logic, and after
that, a set of samples showing its current reach - some presented by former
students in this course, who are now themselves masters of the art.

Format

Lectures and sections.

Material

The course is based on this modal logic textbook from CSLI Publications.

Preliminary schedule

The first 4 weeks will present basic theory, then, after a review,
the next 4 weeks will present special topics, probably from the
areas of knowledge and belief, space-time, and computation.

Prerequisites

A course in first-order logic: we assume that you know the basic notions
of standard logic, and have some experience with formal techniques.

Credit

Homework, small final paper.

Background literature

See the textbook, and also the Handbook of Modal Logic.
A major conference series is Advances in Modal Logic.

Contact

wes.holliday@stanford.edu, johan@csli.stanford.edu