INTRODUCTION TO MODAL LOGIC 2012
(Autumn 2012, ILLC, University of Amsterdam)
Instructor
ALEXANDRU BALTAG
Objectives of Course
To understand the basic techniques of modal logic and its most important applications.
Contents
The course covers the basic notions of modal logic: syntax, relational semantics, models and frames, bisimulations, model theoretic and frame theoretic constructions, completeness. More advanced topics include expressive power and intelligent agency.
Recommended prior knowledge
Knowledge of first order logic (syntax and semantics) and elementary mathematical knowledge and skills.
Format
Lectures and exercise classes.
Study materials
The main textbook, to be referred as BRV, is
Patrick Blackburn, Maarten de Rijke and Yde Venema, Modal Logic, Cambridge University Press, 2002
In addition, I will sometimes use material, referred to as JVB, from
Johan Van Benthem, Modal Logic for Open Minds, CSLI Publications, Stanford, 2010.
Besides this, I may occasionally use additional material, in the form of slides, which will be made available on the website after the lecture.