From Hilbert’s Program to a Logic Toolbox

Abstract

Abstract. In this paper I discuss what, according to my long experience, every computer scientists should know from logic. We concentrate on issues of modeling, interpretability and levels of abstraction. We discuss what the minimal toolbox of logic tools should look like for a computer scientist who is involved in designing and analyzing reliable systems. We shall conclude that many classical topics dear to logicians are less important than usually presented, and that less known ideas from logic may be more useful for the working computer scientist.For Witek Marek, first mentor, then colleague and true friend, on the occasion of his 65th birthday.

Teaching Logic for Computer Science: Are We Teaching the Wrong Narrative?

“…Since the publication of [14,16] I had many discussions on these topics. I also received feedback on the current paper, from the referees, and otherwise.…”

“…In [14,16] I discussed how to teach logic to CS-students in general. I had a Logic Course in mind similar to the traditional "Cours d'analyse" of the Grandes Écoles in France still a tradition before 1968, something like Shoenfield's book, [20], but for CS students.…”

“…I tried and still try to shift the emphasis of this course. I lectured about the rational behind this course and the changes I want to introduce at various conferences, formally at LPAR 2007, CiE 2008 [14,16], and informally at Computer Science in Russia, Moscow 2008. I lectured about it also at ETH Zurich and the Technical University in Vienna.…”