Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2026 - PHIL 451 E100

Advanced Topics in the History of Philosophy (4)

The Origins of Logic

Class Number: 3144

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 11 – Aug 10, 2026: Tue, 4:30–8:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    Nine upper division PHIL units. It is highly recommended that students in PHIL 451 have taken prior courses in the history of philosophy (e.g., PHIL 150, PHIL 322, PHIL 342, PHIL 350, PHIL 352, PHIL 356, PHIL 357, or PHIL 358).

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A highly focused, advanced examination of a selection of topics in the history of philosophy. May be repeated for credit when taught under a different topic.

COURSE DETAILS:

Selected Topics: The Origins of Logic

[Note: this course is to be taught concurrently with PHIL 852.]

Among his many remarkable philosophical accomplishments, Aristotle is the father of logic. His works on logic are among the very most impactful philosophical treatises ever written. Perhaps more than any other philosophical works, the interpretation and misinterpretation of his logical works have shaped the philosophical landscape. In this seminar, we will survey the six treatises that have traditionally been referred to collectively as The Organon: the short but extremely dense and intricate Categories, the more voluminous dialectical treatises Topics and the Sophistical Refutations, the consolidating grammatico-philosophical On Interpretation, the revered Prior Analytics in which Aristotle developed the famous theory of syllogistic figures and moods, among other things, and the sometimes clear and sometimes baffling Posterior Analytics, in which Aristotle articulates the demonstrative method that would become a cornerstone of mathematical and scientific methodology for millennia.

Following this introduction to Aristotle’s impressive achievements, the course will enter a more exploratory mode, and explore the “prequel” to the invention of logic. That is, the course will examine various texts and fragments from Presocratics and from Plato in an attempt to identify key methodological features of their philosophy that have either facilitated, informed, or inspired Aristotle’s invention of logic.

Students taking this seminar should be prepared to read texts very closely and understand that, while it will sometimes lead to exciting insights, it will also occasionally lead to frustration. In addition, students taking this seminar should be prepared to use contemporary formal tools to examine interpretive theses concerning Aristotle’s logical doctrines and their predecessors.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

This course may be repeated for credit if the topic is different.

The educational goal of this course is to develop a deeper understanding of the core concepts of logical methodology, including:

  • To appreciate the complexity of the core concepts of logical methodology.
  • To reflect an understanding of the way in which logicians have both disagreed with each other and built upon each other’s work across traditions.
  • To establish connections between various writers’ views about logic and their views about philosophy and science broadly construed.
  • To improve one’s assessment of the way in which some works in traditional logic can inform our understanding of logical methodology.
  • To become familiar with the logical doctrines that philosophers have reflected upon for millennia.

Grading

  • Weekly written participation to our discussion board, in terms of raising questions for discussion, and contributing to discussions arising from other students’ questions 20%
  • Participation to in-person seminars 5%
  • Assignments—logic problem sets (5 x 3pts) 15%
  • Presentation (with slides) of the draft of your term paper 10%
  • A term paper (approximately 12 pages) on one of Aristotle’s key ideas about logic, including both exegesis and formal reconstruction 50%

NOTES:

Due to the nature of the assignments, and the fact that it’s a seminar, attendance will be essential.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Readings will be distributed in PDF on Canvas or links will be provided to free text repositories.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

Thinking of a Philosophy Major or Minor? The Concentration in Law and Philosophy? The Certificate in Ethics? The Philosophy and Methodology of Science Certificate?
Contact the PHIL Advisor at philcomm@sfu.ca   More details on our website: SFU Philosophy

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.