Quick links

In more detail, on TYL

Most philosophy departments, and many maths departments too, teach little or no serious logic, despite the centrality of the subject. Many students will therefore need to teach themselves, either solo or by organizing study groups. But what to read? Students need annotated reading lists for self-study, giving advice about the available texts. The Teach Yourself Logic Study Guide aims to provide the needed advice by suggesting some stand-out books on various areas of mathematical logic. NB: mathematical logic — so we are working a step up from the kind of ‘baby logic’ that philosophers may encounter in their first year courses. You can also find here some supplements and further Book Notes of various kinds.

The main Guide and its Appendix are in PDF form, designed for on-screen reading. Learning mathematical logic involves a serious time commitment, and different people have different backgrounds/requirements, so you’ll want detailed advice from which you can work out which books might be suitable for you. That’s why the full Guide is rather long. But it is (I hope) approachable written and informative. Try it out here:

Teach Yourself Logic 2020a: A Study Guide (find it on academia.edu by preference, or here)

If the Guide’s length makes it sound daunting, there are also some supplementary webpages which might help ease your way in:

About the Guide Is the Guide for you? A short excerpt on the general aim of the Guide and what it covers.

Is the Guide for you? A short excerpt on the general aim of the Guide and what it covers. The Very Short Teach Yourself Logic Guide A summary of the headline recommendations on the core mathematical logic curriculum.

In more detail, on other book notes

Appendix: Some Big Books on Mathematical Logic (PDF, 40pp.) An appendix to TYL, with comments on a number of the more general, multi-area, textbooks on mathematical logic. Last updated 14 December 2015.

(PDF, 40pp.) An appendix to TYL, with comments on a number of the more general, multi-area, textbooks on mathematical logic. Last updated 14 December 2015. Book Notes Links to 37 separate webpages on the books covered in the Appendix and also to various other books on logic and the philosophy of mathematics. Latest new page added 23 April 2020.

It goes without saying, of course, that all constructive comments and suggestions continue to be most warmly welcomed. Many thanks, in particular, to those who have earlier sent comments which are now deleted because I’ve taken up (or plan to take up) the suggestions in newer versions of the Guide.