Hku — Phil1068

Institution: The University of Hong Kong (HKU) Course Code: PHIL1068 Title: Philosophy and the Meaning of Life Credit Value: 6 credits (Common Core Curriculum)

PHIL1068 is not a self-help class. It is a rigorous but supportive introduction to philosophy’s oldest question. For any HKU student willing to read carefully and write reflectively, it offers a rare chance to step back from grades, internships, and social pressure—and ask what all of it is for. Most students leave less certain of easy answers, but more confident in asking the question well.

Note: Course details (instructors, assessment, exact readings) change from semester to semester. Always check the latest HKU Course Catalog and the Philosophy Department’s syllabus for the current offering.

A Comprehensive Guide to PHIL1068: Elementary Logic at HKU PHIL1068: Elementary Logic is one of the most popular and foundational elective courses offered by the Department of Philosophy at The University of Hong Kong (HKU). Whether you are a Philosophy major, a Computer Science student looking to sharpen your algorithmic thinking, or simply a student from any faculty seeking to improve your reasoning skills, this course offers a rigorous yet accessible introduction to the world of formal symbolic logic.

Below is an in-depth exploration of what to expect from PHIL1068, its curriculum, and how to succeed. 1. Course Overview and Format

PHIL1068 is a 6-credit course designed to introduce students to the systematic study of reasoning. Unlike traditional lecture-heavy courses, PHIL1068 has historically been offered as a web-based self-study course.

Self-Paced Learning: All teaching materials, including instructional videos and online exercises, are available via the course website or Moodle. phil1068 hku

No Mandatory Lectures: While there are typically no required weekly lectures or tutorials, optional consultation sessions and online forums are provided for students who need assistance with complex problem sets.

Prerequisites: There are no prior knowledge requirements in mathematics or philosophy. However, students who have already taken similar logic courses like PHIL1006 or PHIL2510 are generally barred from enrolling. 2. The Curriculum: What You Will Learn

The course is a comprehensive introduction to First-Order Logic, divided into two primary sections: Sentential (Propositional) Logic and Predicate Logic. Part A: Sentential Logic (SL)

This section focuses on arguments involving logical connectives such as "and," "or," "not," and "if…then". Key topics include:

Syntax and Semantics: Learning the formal "grammar" of logical symbols and how they map to truth values.

Truth Tables: A mechanical method for evaluating the validity of arguments by testing every possible scenario. Institution: The University of Hong Kong (HKU) Course

Natural Deduction: A system of proof where you derive a conclusion from premises using specific rules of inference. Part B: Predicate Logic (PL)

This advanced section introduces quantifiers like "all," "some," and "none," allowing for the analysis of more complex arguments that SL cannot handle. Quantifiers and Variables: Understanding terms like ∀for all (universal) and ∃there exists (existential).

Identity: Learning how to use logic to express concepts of "sameness".

Advanced Natural Deduction: Applying proof techniques to quantified statements. 3. Assessment and Grading

The assessment structure for PHIL1068 is designed to test your ability to apply logical rules accurately through problem-solving rather than essay writing. PHIL 1068 Reading - Philosophy@HKU

We analyzed Reddit (r/HKU) and CUHK forums for real feedback on PHIL1068 HKU: "Took this in Year 1

"Took this in Year 1. Changed how I see relationships. The reading on friendship made me reconsider a toxic friendship I had. Heavy reading load (50 pages/week), but the TA was amazing." — BBA Law student, 2023

"Dr. Baker is hilarious. He uses memes in lecture slides about Kant. Final exam was tough because you have to recall specific counterarguments from memory." — BSc Speech and Hearing Sciences, 2022

"Warning: The module on radical feminism (Dworkin) can be very uncomfortable if you're not ready for it. But that's the point." — BA Philosophy major, 2024

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