Phil1068 Hku May 2026

Logic Unlocked: Surviving and Thriving in PHIL1068 at HKU If you’ve recently added PHIL1068: Elementary Logic to your course list at The University of Hong Kong, you might be feeling a mix of curiosity and "what have I done?" Logic is famous for being the "math of philosophy," and while it can be intimidating, it’s also one of the most rewarding 6-credit courses you can take. What is PHIL1068 anyway?

2. Typical Topics & Readings

The syllabus moves from classical foundations to modern challenges. Common topics include: phil1068 hku

Setup: Log into Zoom at least 10 minutes before the start time. ID Check: Have your HKU Student ID ready for verification. Logic Unlocked: Surviving and Thriving in PHIL1068 at

with no regular lectures or tutorials, relying on extensive online materials and discussion forums. Core Topics Argument Analysis : Identifying arguments, validity, and soundness. Sentential Logic (SL) Jeremy Bentham & John Stuart Mill: Utilitarianism (the

3. The Logical Problem

The problem for students of logic is that the argument structure is valid. In classical logic, if the premises are true, the conclusion must be true. However, the conclusion is clearly false. This implies that at least one premise must be false.

Sentential Logic (SL): Breaking down sentences into symbols like ¬logical not ∧logical and ∨logical or →right arrow Predicate Logic (PL): Dealing with quantifiers like "all" ( ∀for all ) and "some" ( ∃there exists

• Jeremy Bentham & John Stuart Mill: Utilitarianism (the greatest happiness principle).
• Immanuel Kant (again): Deontological ethics—the Categorical Imperative.
• Friedrich Nietzsche: Master-slave morality, ressentiment, and the death of God.
• Jean-Paul Sartre: Existentialism—"Existence precedes essence," radical freedom, and bad faith.

Date: April 13, 2026 Course Code: PHIL1068 Institution: The University of Hong Kong