Phil1068 Hku -

PHIL1068: Elementary Logic at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) is a foundational 6-credit course that introduces students to formal logic. It is designed for students of all levels and requires no prior knowledge of logic or mathematics. Course Overview

Format: Traditionally a web-based self-study course with no mandatory lectures or tutorials, though some versions include optional tutorials or review sessions.

Objective: To teach systematic reasoning using symbolic notations, enabling students to construct and evaluate arguments clearly and rationally.

Eligibility: Open to students from any faculty, provided they have not taken higher-level logic courses like PHIL2510. Syllabus Content The course typically covers three main topics:

Basic Logical Concepts: Identifying arguments, validity, soundness, and avoiding ambiguity. Sentential (Propositional) Logic: Syntax and semantics (truth tables). Natural deduction and formalization. Logical properties and relations. Predicate Logic: Basic idea and quantifiers (monadic predicate logic). Interpretations and advanced syntax. Natural deduction with identity. Assessment & Materials

Assessment Structure: Usually consists of 100% coursework, which may include a midterm exam (approx. 35%), a final exam (approx. 35%), and multiple homework problem sets (approx. 30%). phil1068 hku

Primary Textbook: Often uses Jonathan Ichikawa’s expanded version of P.D. Magnus's forall x, an open-access textbook.

Learning Platform: All materials and submissions are typically handled via HKU Moodle or a dedicated departmental course website. syllabus-201617.pdf - Philosophy@HKU

Detailed Syllabus Breakdown

The PHIL1068 syllabus is divided into three major historical blocks. While specific primary texts vary by semester, the core thinkers remain constant.

Why is PHIL1068 HKU Considered Difficult?

Students often underestimate PHIL1068 because it lacks a midterm or traditional final exam. However, the difficulty lies in the quality of thinking required.

1. The "No Right Answer" Problem: Unlike economics or history, where facts can be verified, philosophy demands argumentation. You may lose marks not for being wrong, but for arguing poorly.
2. Dense Reading: Primary texts (e.g., Plato’s Meno, Descartes’ Meditations, Hume’s Enquiry) are written in archaic or highly technical language. Reading 30 pages of Kant can take longer than reading 100 pages of a novel.
3. Argument Reconstruction: In tutorials and essays, you cannot simply summarize what a philosopher said. You must reconstruct their argument in premise-conclusion form and then offer a critical evaluation—identifying hidden assumptions or logical fallacies.

How to prepare

• Before the course: Familiarize yourself with basic logical vocabulary (premise, conclusion, validity), read an introductory philosophy primer, and practice writing short analytic paragraphs.
• During the course: Do weekly readings actively (annotate, summarize), attend tutorials, seek feedback from tutors, and draft essays early.

Introduction: What is PHIL1068 at the University of Hong Kong?

If you are a student at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) browsing the Course Selection List (REGIS) or planning your Arts/Social Sciences electives, you have likely encountered the course code PHIL1068. Officially titled "Philosophy of Love, Sex, and Friendship," PHIL1068 is one of the most popular and intellectually stimulating introductory philosophy courses offered by the Department of Philosophy. PHIL1068: Elementary Logic at the University of Hong

Unlike traditional philosophy courses that focus solely on Plato or Kant, PHIL1068 tackles questions that are deeply personal and universally relevant. Why do we love specific people? Is it rational to be jealous? Can prostitution be morally permissible? What is the difference between a friend and a mere acquaintance?

This article provides a comprehensive breakdown of PHIL1068 HKU—from course syllabus and reading lists to exam tips and professor reviews.

4. Potential Solutions (Discussion Points for a Report)

A strong report for PHIL1068 would explore solutions that go beyond classical binary logic:

• Supervaluationism: This theory suggests that vague predicates are "incomplete." A statement like "This is a heap" is neither true nor false in borderline cases, but super-true if it is true in all "acceptable sharpenings" of the rule.
• Epistemicism: This controversial view argues that vague terms do have sharp boundaries, but we simply do not know where they are. It claims the paradox is a result of our ignorance, not a failure of logic.
• Many-Valued Logic (Fuzzy Logic): This solution modifies the binary (True/False) system taught in the early part of the course. Instead of just T and F, truth values exist on a spectrum (e.g., 0.8 True). This allows for degrees of "heapness."

Course Overview: The Journey Through Western Thought

PHIL1068 is typically offered in both semesters, accommodating arts, social sciences, law, and even business students seeking breadth requirements. The course promises a chronological survey of Western philosophy, from its origins in Ancient Greece to the pivotal figures of the modern era.

Core Topics Covered

The course is divided into three thematic pillars corresponding to the title: The "No Right Answer" Problem: Unlike economics or

1. The Philosophy of Love

• The Eros vs. Agape debate: Is love selfish desire (Eros) or selfless giving (Agape)?
• The Union View: Do lovers become one entity?
• The Robust Concern View: Does love require irrationality?
• Case studies: Parental love, romantic love, and self-love.

2. The Philosophy of Sex

• What is sex? The difference between sexual acts and other physical acts.
• The "Mere Sex" vs. "Meaningful Sex" debate.
• Consent: Is consent merely a mental state, or must it be communicative?
• Perversion: What makes a sexual act "perverse" (if anything)? Readings from Thomas Nagel and Roger Scruton.

3. The Philosophy of Friendship

• Aristotle's three types of friendship: Utility, Pleasure, and Virtue.
• The duty to be a friend: Is friendship a moral obligation or purely optional?
• Friendship vs. Romance: Can heterosexual men and women be "just friends"?

1. Master the "PEEL" Method for Tutorials

Don't just state an opinion. In tutorials, use:

• Point: "Hume argues that we cannot observe necessary connections."
• Evidence: "In Section VII of the Enquiry, he says,..."
• Explanation: "This implies that causation is merely a mental habit."
• Link: "Therefore, Kant’s claim that causality is a category of the understanding directly responds to Hume’s skepticism."