Abstract

This is a very fine elementary-to-intermediate level text of mathematical logic. The initial chapter of the book consists of a good discussion of standard topics in modern formal logic including arguments and argument forms, logical functors, validity, proof, the axiomatic method, interpretations, and logical systems. The book then proceeds in subsequent chapters to a development of increasingly rich systems of sentential logic, systems of natural deduction, and a chapter on consistency and completeness of formal systems. This takes the student through approximately one half of the book. The second half is devoted to more advanced topics such as non-standard systems of propositional logic, and predicate logic of the first order. Finally, there are chapters on higher functional calculi, the logical paradoxes, and non-standard functional systems. A good deal of attention is paid throughout to completeness and consistency properties, the decision problem for various systems, and algebraic structure. There are no frills or "gimmicks" in this book, but good intelligent discussions of important mathematical issues, and many theorems which are left as exercises to the student. Some items which one wishes had been included are normal forms, and elementary discussions of the theories of recursion and logical models.—H. P. K.