Logic, Sets And Recursion

DETAILS : 

• Author : Robert L. Causey
  
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Jones & Bartlett Learning
  
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ 3 January 2006
  
• Edition ‏ : ‎ 2nd
  
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
  
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 528 pages
  
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9380108087
  
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 9789380108087
  
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 900 g

ABOUT THE BOOK

Logic, Sets, and Recursion by Robert L. Causey is a sophisticated undergraduate textbook designed to bridge the gap between standard "discrete mathematics" texts and advanced, rigorous mathematical logic. It is particularly valued in computer science and philosophy departments for its focus on the formal construction of proofs and the semantic foundations of formalized languages.

The book is structured into four primary pillars:

• Sentential Calculus: An introduction to propositional logic, truth tables, and formal derivations.
• Basic Set Theory: A deep dive into the language of sets, relations, and functions, which form the bedrock of modern mathematics.
• Recursion and Mathematical Induction: This section is the "heart" of the book for computer scientists, applying inductive reasoning not just to numbers, but to non-numerical data types and recursive definitions.
• Predicate Calculus: An exploration of first-order logic, quantifiers, and elementary metatheory.

Causey’s writing is celebrated for being "informal but rigorous." He provides students with the heuristic strategies needed to actually write proofs rather than just follow them, making it an essential preparatory text for advanced courses in Artificial Intelligence, theoretical computer science, and higher mathematics.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Robert L. Causey is Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at the University of Texas at Austin, where he also served as a member of the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. He earned his PhD in Logic and the Methodology of Science from UC Berkeley in 1967.

Dr. Causey is a true polymath whose research spans the philosophy of science, the logical structure of scientific theories, and defeasible reasoning in AI. He was a co-founder of the UT Artificial Intelligence Lab and has authored other significant works such as Unity of Science (1977). His unique background allows him to teach logic with a precision that satisfies mathematicians while maintaining the conceptual depth valued by philosophers.