Johann Heinrich Lambert. Philosophische Schriften. Vol. VIII: Kleinere philosophische Abhandlungen und Rezensionen. edited by A. Emmel and A. Spree, Georg Olms Verlag, Hildesheim, Zurich and New York 2007, Part 1: xlii + pp. 1–474; Part 2: pp. 475–763.

Abstract

They report the results, which include 0% getting the correct answer, and in the following discussion mention that their results are typical. The second interlude is the Linda problem. Linda is described (in more detail than this) as being socially concerned and left-leaning. Then eight statements (a)–(h) about Linda are listed, and the subject is asked to rank them in order of probability. Six are red herrings. The two of interest are: (f) Linda is a bank teller, and (h) Linda is a bank teller and is active in the feminist movement. Apparently the majority of participants rank (h) as more likely than (f), presumably because it contains some information more consistent with the overall image of Linda, even though (h) implies (f) whereas (f) does not imply (h). (The authors report that these two phenomena and variants have been intensely studied by psychologists. In fact, one of the researchers behind the latter test, Kahneman, was awarded the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 2002 for this work, done with Tversky, who had by then passed away.) Another charm of the book are the many photographs of (or, if that is not possible, graphics related to) important figures in logic, with a snippet about their contribution to the field. In fact, the first chapter is just two pages devoted to five mathematicians from Euclid to Gentzen addressing the question as to what mathematics is (as well as a one-page pronunciation guide). Along the way we also meet de Morgan, Łukasiewicz, Hilbert, Peirce, Post, Hintikka, Bolzano, and others. When deciding whether to use this for your course, beside the considerations already mentioned, another along which this fares favorably is price. At $59, it is a chunk cheaper than Mendelson ($85) and Enderton ($102), even if the former is paperback and the latter two hardcover. With the authors’ teaching experience behind them, their offering is well worth considering for your introductory, undergraduate logic course. Robert Lubarsky Department of Mathematical Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA. Robert.Lubarsky@alum.mit.edu.