The Cambridge Companion to Ancient Logic

A state-of-the-art overview of ancient logic for students and scholars, with in-depth analyses of its central themes.

This state-of-the-art overview of ancient logic for students and scholars covers the development of logic in Aristotle and the Stoics, the key concepts at the heart of the ancient logical systems and the legacy of ancient logic in the later philosophical tradition, from the Middle Ages to today.This Companion provides a comprehensive guide to ancient logic. The first part charts its chronological development, focussing especially on the Greek tradition, and discusses its two main systems: Aristotle's logic of terms and the Stoic logic of propositions. The second part explores the key concepts at the heart of the ancient logical systems: truth, definition, terms, propositions, syllogisms, demonstrations, modality and fallacy. The systematic discussion of these concepts allows the reader to engage with some specific logical and exegetical issues and to appreciate their transformations across different philosophical traditions. The intersections between logic, mathematics and rhetoric are also explored. The third part of the volume discusses the reception and influence of ancient logic in the history of philosophy and its significance for philosophy in our own times. Comprehensive coverage, chapters by leading international scholars and a critical overview of the recent literature in the field will make this volume essential for students and scholars of ancient logic.