The course is meant to be the continuation of the CIVIS programme: “Proofs, arguments and dialogues: history, epistemology and logic of justification practices” (held in 2022 in Aix-Marseille and Tübingen) and the CIVIS programme “Meanings and Understanding via Proofs. Logical and Epistemological Approaches” (held in Bucharest 2023).

The BIP is concerned with the significance of the concept of proof as it is defined and used in different fields of knowledge (e.g., logic, computer science, mathematics, physics, social sciences, linguistics, and law) and with its role in the development of critical thinking abilities. The concept of proof has been central to theoretical thinking since its beginning in Ancient Greece, and proofs are the most rigorous and solid way to establish truth and acquire knowledge.

There is a variety of proofs depending on their applications in different areas of inquiry. For example, typically, a mathematical proof, as used in logic and computer science, will have to refer to abstract concepts or structures and be conclusive, whereas a proof in physics, while still being required to be conclusive, will involve some form of empirical or experimental elements. Likewise, proofs are used in law, social sciences, and everyday argumentation practices in a more liberalized form. For instance, empirical evidence and deductive arguments are important proofs in courts of law, political and economical debates, statistical inquiries, historical research, philosophy of science, and education (pedagogy).

The course aims at providing CIVIS students with the necessary thinking abilities for understanding and acting responsibly in a globalized knowledge society. One of the underlying ideas of the School is that acquisition of truth and knowledge is a by-product of the way in which epistemic agents use their language for arguing and proving their ideas in the community they live in.

The physical mobility part will be running from 7 to 11 July 2025. The physical part will be held in Athens, Greece.

Moreover, the schedule of the physical part is set out as follows:

• Monday, 7 July 2025, 9:00-13:00 CET and 17:00-21:00 CET, teaching of courses.
• Tuesday, 8 July 2025, 9:00-13:00 CET and 17:00-21:00 CET, teaching of courses.
• Wednesday, 9 July 2025, 9:00-13:00 CET and 17:00-21:00 CET, teaching of courses.
• Thursday, 10 July 2025, half-day excursion, as well as time for students to prepare their physical presentations.
• Friday, 11 July 2025, 9:00-13:00 CET and 17:00-21:00 CET, students' physical presentations.

The virtual part will be running from 6 March to 27 June 2025.

Moreover, the schedule of the virtual part is set out as follows:

• 6 March 2025: Introductory meeting.
• 13 March 2025: Online talk 1: Propositional logic.
• 20 March 2025: Online talk 2: First-order logic.
• 26 March 2025: Meeting 1 for students to form groups, choose topics, etc.
• 28 March 2025: Meeting 2 for students to form groups, choose topics, etc.
• 10 April 2025: Online talk 3.
• 30 April 2025: Online talk 4.
• 5 May 2025: (Student-) group I: discussion of papers
• 6 May 2025: Group II: discussion of papers.
• 7 May 2025: Group III: discussion of papers.
• 8 May 2025: Group IV: discussion of papers.
• 9 May 2025: Group V: discussion of papers.
• 29 May 2025: Online talk 5.
• 23 June 2025: Group I: virtual presentations.
• 24 June 2025: Group II: virtual presentations.
• 25 June 2025: Group III: virtual presentations.
• 26 June 2025: Group IV: virtual presentations.
• 27 June 2025: Group V: virtual presentations.