Bookpedia : Library WWWisdom : Author : Q

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Summary: Tableau économique spiegato dall'abate Nicolas Baudeau

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Summary: The more that I read this book, the more I grow to like it. I'm not sure that it is suitable as a first text in logic. But for those who already have some grounding in the subject to the extent of, say, truth tables this is an excellent read.
It is nicely balanced between discussion of the translation of natural language into the formal language of logic, and expositions of procedures for deciding validity or invalidity once this has been done. The logic emerges in four phases, beginning with the logic of truth functions (and, or, not etc.). Next, quantifier logic of monadic (1-place) predicates is developed before moving on to the general quantification theory of polyadic (2 or more-place) predicates. In this way the limits of decidability are made clearer than in most texts. Monadic predicate logic is decidable, and Quine shows us how. Undecidability only sets in with polyadic predicate logic.
The fourth and final phase "Glimpses Beyond" introduces the logic of identity and some formal set theory, carrying us through nicely to the point where logic leaves off and mathematics begins.
Quine's prose is crisp and clear, and at times dryly comical. There are few writers in any field who match the precision and lucidity of his style, and I know of none who are his equal among writers on logic. For anyone who has done a little logic but wants to know more, this is emphatically the book to get.

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