The third edition of Essentials of Symbolic Logic is a concise and clearly written introduction to the topic. Based on years of use in colleges and universities, the book provides an accessible and thorough grounding in sentence logic and predicate logic. While technical jargon is kept to a minimum, all necessary logical concepts and vocabulary are explained clearly. A standard system of natural deduction is developed, and readers are given suggestions for developing strategies for creating derivations (proofs) in this system.

An instructor’s website is available with solutions to all the exercises in the text, including the many new exercises which have been added to this new edition.

R.L. Simpson's profile page

R.L. Simpson is a Philosophy Professor at Camosun College in Victoria, British Columbia.

“This is an excellent introduction to natural deduction systems—clear and very readable. It introduces rules gently and in a way that students will appreciate. A very good text.” — Ed Mares, Victoria University, New Zealand

“Essentials of Symbolic Logic is particularly good at encouraging students to develop strategies for producing derivations in sentence and predicate logic, without ever suggesting that this is an easy task, so that students who persevere can end their courses with a genuine sense of real achievement. I have also liked the text because it is totally reliable—and my students have liked and respected it too.” — Ian Tipton, University of Wales-Swansea