PHIL 240Introduction to Formal Logic
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Arts
- Subject
- Philosophy
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 5 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
Logic is the study of good inferences. This course examines a particular class of inferences, namely those where the truth of the conclusion is guaranteed by the logical form of the inference. These are called deductively valid arguments. Students will explore formal systems such as classical sentential logic and quantificational logic, and develop the skills required to evaluate arguments using concepts such as soundness, consistency, and logical equivalence. Students will develop good inferential practices for constructing deductively sound arguments.
Prerequisites
None listed.
Antirequisites
- Not open to students enrolled in Faculty of Mathematics programs
Leads to
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 3521 | 28 / 38 | TTh 13:00–14:20 |
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 081 | 3542 | 0 / 40 | Online or by arrangement |
| LEC 701 | 1320 | 25 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
Reviewed on UW Flow
88% liked it55% easy60% useful
From 16 ratings and 4 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
took this in W26 as a bird course with professor Ashar Khan. The course is bird if you have taken STAT 202, but it really depends on what kind of TA is marking your assignments. My marks were inconsistent tbh, but the course breakdown is just 4 assignments worth 17.5% each, and 1 take home final worth: 30%. I would recommend taking this if you have a heavy course load, because even if you go through the lecture slides a day before your assignment is due - you still do great ! just depends on your TA though </3
Apr 2026 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
Collaborative and open book midterms. Flipped course structure. Class time was well spent clarifying concepts rather than introducing them.
Feb 2020 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
This course was flipped. Left me spending less than 4-5 hours total on it every week (including lecture time!). Sometimes tough conceptually but rewarding to understand
Sep 2017 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Fun and easy course if you had slight exposure to mathematical logic before (or anything logic-based), otherwise I can see it be difficult.
Jul 2017 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
27 posts and comments in 24 threads mention PHIL 240, August 2013 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Spring 2024
Philosophy courses that focus on logic or arguments? 4 points, 6 comments
“Title! For arguments, looking for courses that touch on formation, interpretation, or analysis of them. Thank you :)”
u/Ylvy_reddit: “phil 240 is formal logic, if that's what you're looking for.”
Spring 2022
Improving General Logic Skills 7 points, 7 comments
“So as a math major, you'd think one of the pre-reqs is good logic skills. I'm slowly realizing that I don't have that good of a grasp on logic. How do I improve?”
u/NoAnimeClub: “what do you mean "logic skills".”
u/NoAnimeClub: “no not even once? the real world is full of morons dude, my manager (i work for WUSA) cannot multiply or divide by 10. If you want to learn "real" logic, u can take PHIL 240, it goes over basic predicate and sentential logic, bird course if u have a few braincells.”
Bird courses 200 or 300 level still with space? 0 points, 3 comments
u/Waterloonybin: “PHIL 240 is great bird course, even interesting if ur into logic”
Highly recommend the online version of PHIL 145 "Critical Thinking" (List D CSE) 6 points, 10 comments
“"An analysis of basic types of reasoning, structure of arguments, critical assessment of information, common fallacies, problems of clarity and meaning."”
u/Waterloonybin: “Highly recommend PHIL 240 intro to formap logic as the next step”
Winter 2022
What are the coolest/most interesting electives to take? 23 points, 30 comments
“What are some interesting electives to take. In high school my most memorable courses were drama and hospitality. What are some cool electives to take here. …”
u/madie7392: “PHIL240 intro to formal logic is really easy but fun. basically just logic puzzles”
Bird courses recommendations 11 points, 9 comments
“Hi! I'm looking for some bird course recommendations that are offered online and in winter.”
u/madie7392: “phil 240 assuming you’re not a math student”
Spring 2020
Good lesser-known electives that don’t require a lot of textbook reading or writing essays/papers? 0 points, 2 comments
“I’ve tried to get into music 140 three separate terms with no luck so at this point I guess it just wasn’t meant to be. I have a feeling most of the often-recommended electives are like that. …”
u/Frozen-Penis: “I liked both Phil 145 and 240 although they both officially have textbooks I never had to touch the book”
Winter 2020
intro to formal logic help? 0 points, 1 comment
“I've been struggling with the course all term and I'm scared of continuing to look at the content even more because i usually end up just googling my eyes all over the page for a long time ;M; I …”
u/mywaterlooaccount: “What's the course number? If it's ECE 108 we can call on discord about it this afternoon if you'd like (free of charge). If it's phil 240, I can try, but I can't make any guarantees”
Fall 2019
Andrew Stumpf for Phil 145 4 points, 7 comments
“Anyone had experience with him before? How hard does he mark?”
u/Frozen-Penis: “I had him for the online section a few years ago. He was kinda anal in his marking.”
u/Frozen-Penis: “I guess, but it was more about the way he wanted you to explain things. Didn't have that issue with Greg Andres in phil 240”
How is PHIL 240? 2 points, 1 comment
again, need some suggestions for bird course 4 points, 8 comments
“It would be better if it has no final exam, just assignments. No foreign language course since I already took japan 101 and 102 before. (econ101 102 geo101 102 have been taken)”
u/Frozen-Penis: “phil 145, clas 104, earth 121, sci 206, phil 240, rec 100”
Anyone in arts planning to go to law school after? 5 points, 13 comments
“Anyone in arts planning on going to law school after?? what’s your experience?”
u/that_bench_in_hagey: “I'm a 4th year PHIL major... I've thought of law school, and might try it after a masters, if I feel like law is the way to go for me. …”
u/that_bench_in_hagey: “… and take PHIL 240 (intro to logic).”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
- Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
- Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
- UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
- WClassesPast sections back to 2004, and who taught them