Author Description
The first book devoted to a systematic investigation of the logic of the high Middle Ages, this work demonstrates the magnitude of the achievement of medieval logicians. Broadie focuses on the work of some of the great figures of the 14th century, including Walter Burley, William Ockham, John Buridan, Albert of Saxony, and Paul of Venice, and analyzes their theories of truth conditions and valid conditions. Among the topics considered are the medieval exposition of the quantifier shift fallacy, and the rules of valid inference devised to deal with arguments whose premises are not all present-tensed. Revealing how much of what seems characteristically 20th-century logic was actually familiar long ago, Broadie here demonstrates how medieval logic may yet contribute to the solution of 20th-century problems.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This work investigates the systematic development and technical sophistication of logic during the high Middle Ages, arguing that medieval logicians anticipated many concepts attributed to modern 20th-century thought. Professor Alexander Broadie, a specialist in medieval philosophy, utilizes primary texts from 14th-century thinkers to reconstruct their logical frameworks. He examines how these scholars addressed complex issues such as truth conditions and valid inference, positioning their work as a precursor to contemporary analytical methods.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Analysis of 14th-century logical theories from figures like William Ockham and John Buridan.
- Examination of the quantifier shift fallacy as understood by medieval scholars.
- Investigation into rules of valid inference for non-present-tensed arguments.
- Comparative study between medieval logical structures and 20th-century analytical problems.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Reader & Expert Consensus: Experts recognize this text as a foundational resource for understanding the technical rigor of medieval scholasticism. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which requires a baseline familiarity with formal logic to fully appreciate the author's arguments.
Page Count:
152
Publication Date:
1987-04-09
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0198249411
ISBN-13:
9780198249412
Philosophy
Logic
Academic
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