Aristotelian Logic and the Arabic Language in Alfārābī

This book explores the reaction of tenth-century Arab philosopher Abu Nasr Alfarabi to the logical works of Aristotle. From numerous short treatises the author develops a systematic and comprehensive topical survey of Alfara bi's logical writings.
The book is divided into two major parts: language as a tool of logic (Chapters 1-5) and logic as a tool with which to analyze language (Chapter 6). The first five chapters deal with Alfarabi's analysis of the meanings of various terms as they are used in logic and philosophy. Alfarabi refutes the Arab grammarians who claimed that Arab logicians were building a language within a language and shows that the philosophical meanings of terms are in fact their most original and essential meanings. The final chapter deals with Alfarabi's analysis of certain aspects of the Arabic language (such as copula) and demonstrates that Arabic, like any natural language, conforms to universal logical structures of which natural languages are only a concrete expression.

About the author

Shukri B. Abed is a Senior Research Fellow at the Harry S. Truman Research Institute of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Product details

• Authors: Shukri B Abed, Shukri B. Abed, Abed Shukri B.
• Publisher: Ingram Publishers Services
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 20.12.1990
• EAN: 9780791403983
• ISBN: 978-0-7914-0398-3
• No. of pages: 201
• Dimensions: 152 mm x 229 mm x 25 mm
• Weight: 308 g
• Series: SUNY Series in Hindu Studies; SUNY Series in Hindu Studies
• Subjects: Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Other world religions; PHILOSOPHY / Eastern, East Asian and Indian philosophy, Oriental & Indian philosophy