Why teach an introductory course in Mathematical Logic in the Philosophy curriculum?

TL;DR

This paper argues for including an introductory Mathematical Logic course in Philosophy curricula, emphasizing its role in understanding natural language arguments through diagramming and logical deduction.

Contribution

It introduces the use of Freeman's diagramming system as an intuitive tool for analyzing natural language arguments in philosophy education.

Findings

Diagramming aids understanding of logical structures

First Order Logic natural deduction rules are accessible through diagramming

Enhances philosophical argument analysis skills

Abstract

This paper tries to justify the relevance of an introductory course in Mathematical Logic in the Philosophy curriculum for analyzing philosophical arguments in natural language. It is argued that the representation of the structure of natural language arguments in Freeman's diagramming system can provide an intuitive foundation for the inferential processes involved in the use of First Order Logic natural deduction rules.