Modal Logic 2013-2014

INTRODUCTION TO MODAL LOGIC 2013

(Autumn 2013, ILLC, University of Amsterdam)

Instructor

ALEXANDRU BALTAG (Email TheAlexandruBaltag@gmail.com)

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.