The Logic of Gersonides: A Translation of Sefer ha-Heqqesh ha-Yashar (The Book of the Correct Syllogism) of Rabbi Levi ben Gershom with Introduction, Commentary, and Analytical Glossary

358 Pages·1992·10.78 MB·English

by  Charles H. Manekin (auth.)

THE LOGIC OF GERSONIDES
The New Synthese Historical Library
Texts and Studies in the History of Philosophy
VOLUME 40
Series Editor:
NORMAN KRETZMANN, Cornell University
Associate Editors:
DANIEL ELLIOT GARBER, University of Chicago
SlMO KNUUTTILA, University of Helsinki
RICHARD SORABJI, University of London
Editorial Consultants:
JAN A. AERTSEN, Free University, Amsterdam
ROGER ARIEW, Virginia Polytechnic Institute
E. JENNIFER ASHWORTH, University of Waterloo
MICHAEL AYERS, Wadham College, Oxford
GAIL FINE, Cornell University
R. J. HANKINSON, University of Texas
JAAKKO HINTIKKA, Boston University, Finnish Academy
PAUL HOFFMAN, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
DAVID KONSTAN, Brown University
RICHARD H. KRAUT, University of Illinois, Chicago
ALAIN DE LIBERA, Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, Sorbonne
DAVID FATE NORTON, McGill University
LUCA OBERTELLO, Universita degli Studi di Genova
ELEONORE STUMP, Virginia Polytechnic Institute
ALLEN WOOD, Cornell University
The titles published in this series are listed at the end of this volume.
ERRATA
Ch. Manekin: The Logic of Gersonides
ISBN 0-7923-1513-8
Although the efforts of all involved, some errors have slipped in during the
production process.
p. 53 This page begins at line 33 with the titel 'The Book of the Correct
Syllogism'. The first 32 lines of commentary belong on p. 189.
p. 206 1. 21-22: please read dici de omni et nullo for did de omne et nullo
p. 247 This page is to be omitted.
p. 259 1.15: please read AablEbcllEac for AablEbcllAac
p. 262 1. 26: please read OablAcbllOac for OablAcbllEac
p. 266 1. 7: please read 'Averoes' Epitome of the Organon' for Maimo-
nides Logical Terms1.
p. 311 1. 21: The volume of G. Dahan (ed.) is entitled Gersonides en son
temps and will be published with Peeters in Louvain, Belgium.
p. 326 1. 21: The volume of G. Dahan (ed.) is entitled Gersonides en son
temps and will be published with Peeters in Louvain, Belgium.
THELOGICOF
GERSONIDES
A Translation of Sefer ha-He qqesh ha-Yashar
(The Book ofthe Correct Syllogism)
of Rabbi Levi ben Gershom
with Introduction, Commentary, and Ana1ytical Glossary
by
CHARLES H. MANEKIN
University of Maryland. Maryland. U.S.A .
..
SPRINGER-SCIENCE+BUSINESS MEDIA, B.V.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Levi ben Gershom, 1288-1344.
[He~esh ha-yashar. Engllshl
The logic of Gersonldes : a translatlon of Sefer ha-Heqqesh ha
-yashar (The Book of the correct syllogism) of Rabbi Levi ben
Gershom I wlth lntroductlon, commentary, and analytlcal glossary
[byl Charles H. Manekln.
p. cm. -- (The New synthese hlstorlcal llbrary ; v. 401
Translatlon of. Sefer ha-He~esh ha-yashar.
Inc 1u des 1 ndex.
ISBN 978-94-010-5155-2 ISBN 978-94-011-2614-4 (eBook)
DOI 10.1007/978-94-011-2614-4
1. Sylloglsm--Early works ta 1800. 2. Philosophy, Jewlsh.
3. Phllosophy, Medleval. 1. Manekln, Charles Harry, 1953-
II. Tltle. III. Ser les.
B759.L43H4513 1991
166--dc20 91-37681
ISBN 978-94-010-5155-2
Printed on acid-free paper
AlI Rights Reserved
© 1992 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
Origina11y published by Kluwer Academic Publishers in 1992
Softcover reprint of the hardcover 1s t edition 1992
No part of the material protected by this copyright notice may be reproduced or
utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and
retrieval system, without written permission from the copyright owner.
PREFACE
In the great libraries of Europe and the United States, hidden in fading
manuscripts on forgotten shelves, lie the works of medieval Hebrew logic.
From the end of the twelfth century through the Renaissance, Jews wrote and
translated commentaries and original compositions in Aristotelian logic. One
can say without exaggeration that wherever Jews studied philosophy - Spain,
France, Northern Africa, Germany, Palestine - they began their studies with
logic. Yet with few exceptions, the manuscripts that were catalogued in the last
century have failed to arouse the interest of modem scholars. While the history
of logic is now an established sub-discipline of the history of philosophy, the
history of Hebrew logic is only in its infancy.
The present work contains a translation and commentary of what is arguably
the greatest work of Hebrew logic, the Sefer ha-Heqqesh ha-Yashar (The Book
of the Correct Syllogism) of Levi ben Gershom (Gersonides; 1288-1344).
Gersonides is well known today as a philosopher, astronomer, mathematician,
and biblical exegete. But in the Middle Ages he was also famous for his
prowess as a logician. The Correct Syllogism is his attempt to construct a
theory of the syllogism that is free of what he considers to be the 'mistakes' of
Aristotle, as interpreted by the Moslem commentator A verroes. It is an
absorbing, challenging work, first written by Gersonides when he was merely
thirty-one years old, then significantly revised by him. The translation
presented here is of the revised version.
I first came upon the Correct Syllogism in 1978 when, as a graduate student,
I became interested in the history of logic and in the philosophy of Gersonides.
After reading a microfilm of the Parma manuscript I decided that there was
enough material for a doctoral dissertation. Yet I subsequently discovered that
parts of the work had been analyzed in a doctoral dissertation written at the
Hebrew University, Jerusalem, in 1973. When I traveled to Israel in 1979 I met
its author, Dr. Shalom Rosenberg, who very generously 'bequeathed' the work
to me, and even invited me to Jerusalem to study it with him, which I did. For
his help and encouragement in many areas I am truly grateful.
The present work grew out of my doctoral dissertation for Columbia
University (1984). In my thesis I presented a partial Hebrew edition and
translation of less than half of the Correct Syllogism. Since then I have
prepared a critical edition based on all the known extant manuscripts. The
translation here is based on that edition.
vi THE LOGIC OF GERSON IDES
Over the last ten years my work on Gersonides' logic has been supported by
a variety of foundations and institutions, which it is my pleasant task to
acknowledge. The National Foundation of Jewish Culture, the Memorial
Foundation of Jewish Culture, the Lady Davis Foundation, and the Center of
Israel and Jewish Studies at Columbia University awarded me grants and
fellowships when I was a doctoral candidate. The Warburg Foundation and the
Lady Davis Foundation awarded me postdoctoral fellowships at the Hebrew
University. I was fortunate to receive a substantial translation grant from the
National Endowment of the Humanities and two research grants from the
Graduate Research Board of the University of Maryland. Finally, the Meyer
hoff Center for Jewish Studies at the University of Maryland underwrote some
of the publication costs.
Of the many teachers and colleagues who have helped me I would like to
single out the following: Shalom Rosenberg (Jerusalem), a pioneer in the study
of medieval Hebrew logic as well as a teacher and collaborator; Charles
Parsons (Cambridge, Mass.), the second reader for my doctoral thesis, who was
particularly helpful on questions of modem logic; Josef Stem (Chicago), who
made many suggestions for improvement, and Gad Freudenthal (Paris), who
read the Introduction very carefully and offered detailed and penetrating
comments. I am also grateful to Michael Blaustein (Annapolis), who checked
my transliterations from the Arabic, and to Rachel Manekin (College Park),
who checked my transliterations from the Hebrew. Special thanks go to my
colleagues in the Hebrew section of my department, Adele Berlin and Alan
Mintz, and to my department chairperson, J. Thomas Rimer, for their en
couragement and support. Above all, I would like to thank Arthur Hyman
(New York), who has been my teacher and guide from the first day I entered
graduate school until the present. For all that he has taught me, and for his
embodying the 'scholar and gentleman', I am truly grateful.
The Rabbis teach that 'silence is a hedge for wisdom', yet I cannot refrain
from expressing gratitude to my parents and children for their constant love
and support. To my wife Rachel, who has taught me things far more important
than are dealt with here, I humbly dedicate this book.
C.H.M.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 1
Logic and philosophy among the Jews in medieval Provence· Gersonides' life and
writings· Gersonides' logical writings· The Commentary on Logic· The Commentary on
the Logical Questions· The Book oft he Correct Syllogism· Gersonides' logic: innovation
within the bounds of tradition . (i) The interpretation of syllogistic· (ii) The defense of the
fourth figure· (iii) The quantification of the predicate· (iv) Inferences with relational
terms and prepositions· (v) The interpretation of modality· The sources of the logical
writings and their subsequent influence· The edition of the Correct Syllogism· Summary
of major revisions· Minor revisions· (i) Condensement and abridgement· (ii) Expansion
n .
and precision· (iii) Accuracy and correction· Group I (C, V, and Group II (P and L)
. The translation· Editorial additions and formalization
THE BOOK OF THE CORRECT SYLLOGISM
INTRODUCTION 53
TREATISE ONE
ON THE SIMPLE SENTENCE AND WHAT FOLLOWS FROM IT
CHAPTER ONE On the Types of Sentences 54
Consequences involving simple sentences . The division of sentences . The types of
sentences employed in syllogisms . The definition of a sentence and the types of
modalities· The possible· The essentially possible· The temporal assertoric . Objections
to the Aristotelian-Averroist understanding of the assertoric . The rhetorical assertoric
. The non-contingent· Two types of the possible: exclusive and non-exclusive Two
types of the necessary: essential and incidental· Two types of the assertoric . The proper
interpretation of modal sentences
CHAPTER TWO On Retracted Sentences 63
Subject-retracted sentences . Predicate-retracted sentences
Vlll THE LOGIC OF GERSONIDES
CHAPTER THREE On the Relative Extensions of Modally Qualified
Terms 65
The relative extensions of simply modally qualified terms . The relations between
retracted terms' An objection to the relation between possible and necessary terms
CHAPTER FOUR On Consequences by Virtue of the Part and the
Whole 67
Consequences in which a certain thing is affirmed of the particular by virtue of its being
affirmed ofthe universal· Conditions concerning such consequences· Consequences in
which a certain thing is negated of the particular by virtue of its being negated of the
universal· Consequences in which a certain thing is affirmed or negated of the universal
by virtue of its being affirmed or negated of the particular· Consequences in which a
certain thing is affirmed or negated of one term by virtue of its being affirmed or negated
of an equal term . Consequences in which the universal and particular are
predicated of a certain thing
CHAPTER FIVE On Consequences by Virtue of Subaltemation and
Obversion 75
Subaltemation: Aablllab, EabllOab . Superaitemation: lab\\Aab, Oab\\Eab . Simple
sentences to predicate-retracted sentences: (i) AabllE a...,b, labllOa...,b . Simple sentences
to predicate-retracted sentences: (ii) EabIIAa...,b, Oabllla...,b . Predicate-retracted
sentences to simple sentences: (i) Aa...,bll Eab,la...,bIIOab· Predicate-retracted sentences
to simple sentences: (ii) Ea...,bIIOab, Oa...,blllab . Subject-retracted sentences to
unqualifiedly retracted sentences and vice-versa· Simple sentences to subject-retracted
sentences and vice-versa· Simple sentences to subject-retracted and to unqualifiedly
retracted sentences when both terms exist: Eabllhab, EabIlO...,a...,b . Subject-retracted
sentences to simple sentences and to predicate-retracted sentences when both terms
exist: E...,ablllab, E...,abIIOa...,b
CHAPTER SIX On Consequences by Virtue of the Placement and
Removal of Relational Particles and Prepositions 80
Placement of particles in universal affirmative simple sentences: Aab//AelbR. Placement
of particles in particular affirmative simple sentences: lablllelbR . Removal of particles
in universal and particular affirmative simple sentences: AelbR\\Aab, lel~\Vab .
Placement of particles in universal negative simple sentences: Eab\\EelbR,; predicate
retracted sentences . Removal of particles in universal negative simple sentences:
Eelb RI I Eab . Placement and removal of particles in particular negative simple sentences:
CONTENTS IX
Oab\\OifbR, OifbR/JOab; predicate-retracted sentences· Placement and removal of
particles in universal affirmative subject-retracted sentences: A ..,ab\\A ..,ifbR, A ..,ifbR\\
A ..,ab . Placement and removal of particles in particular negative subject -retracted
sentences: O..,ab\\O..,ifbR, O..,ifbR\\O..,ab; unqualifiedly retracted sentences· Placement
and removal of particles in universal subject-retracted negatives: E"'abIIE..,ifbR,
E..,ifbR\\E..,ab; unqualifiedly-retracted sentences· Conditions for the use of these
consequences
CHAPTER SEVEN On Consequences by Virtue of the Placement and
Removal of Modes 86
Placement and removal of the particular mode for the universal mode in simple terms
. Placement and removal of the universal mode for the particular mode in simple terms
. Placement and removal of modes in retracted terms· Conditions for the use of these
consequences
CHAPTER EIGHT On Consequences by Virtue of the Conversion of
Sentences 88
Conversion of simple sentences: (i) Aabl Il ba,/abl Ilba . Conversion of simple sentences:
(ii) EabllEba, Oab\\; predicate-retracted sentences· Conversion of predicate-retracted
and simple sentences to subject-retracted and unqualifiedly retracted sentences .
Conversion of predicate-retracted sentences to subject-retracted sentences: (i)
Aa..,blll..,ba . Conversion of predicate-retracted sentences to subject-retracted sentences:
(ii) la..,bllf..,ba . Conversion of predicate-retracted sentences to subject-retracted
sentences: (iii) Ea..,bIIE..,ba . Conversion of predicate-retracted sentences to subject
retracted sentences: (iv) Oab\\; unqualifiedly retracted and simple sentences .
Conversion of subject-retracted sentences to predicate-retracted sentences· Conversion
of subject-retracted sentences to predicate-retracted sentences: (i) A..,abillb..,a,
l..,abillb..,a . Conversion of subject-retracted sentences to predicate-retracted sentences:
(ii) E..,abll Eb..,a, O"'ab\\; unqualifiedly retracted and simple sentences· Non-conversion
of subject-retracted sentences to subject-retracted sentences: (i) A..,ab\\x..,ba,
l"'ab\\x..,ba . Non-conversion of subject-retracted sentences to subject-retracted
sentences: (ii) E..,ab\\x..,ba, O..,ab\\x..,ba . Non-conversion of subject-retracted
sentences to unqualifiedly retracted sentences . Non-conversion of unqualifiedly
retracted sentences to subject-retracted or unqualifiedly retracted sentences