Logic in Islam: Definition, Etymology, and Historical Development

Introduction to Logic in Islam

Definition and Scope

Logic in the context of Islamic studies, known as ʿIlmu ʾl-mant̤iq (علم المنطق), translates to “the science of rational speech.” The term is derived from the Arabic root nat̤aq (نطق), meaning “to speak.” It is also referred to as ʿIlmu ʾl-mīzān (علم الميزان), literally “the science of weighing (evidence),” where mīzān (ميزان) means “scales.”

Historical Significance

The study of logic holds a prominent place in Islamic intellectual tradition, as illustrated by the advice of the author of the Ak͟hlāq-i-Jalālī. He describes a hierarchy of sciences, where logic is recommended to be studied after moral culture (ʿIlmu ʾl-ak͟hlāq) and before mathematics (ʿIlmu ʾl-riyāẓīyāt) and physics (ʿIlmu ʾl-ḥikmah), eventually leading to theology (ʿIlmu ʾl-Ilāhī). This prioritization underscores the fundamental role of logic in preparing the mind for comprehending other complex sciences.

Etymology and Translations

• Arabic: ʿIlmu ʾl-mant̤iq (علم المنطق), “science of rational speech.”
• Turkish: Mantık ilmi, “logic science.”

Key Figures and Contributions

Early Pioneers

The first notable Muslim scholar to study logic was K͟hālid ibn Yazīd (AH 60), lauded for his learning and initiative in translating Greek works into Arabic. Subsequently, the Abbasid Caliph Maʾmūn (AH 198) significantly fostered the translation movement, leading to numerous Greek texts on logic being translated into Arabic.

Translators and Philosophers

Several scholars contributed to the translation and adaptation of logical treatises:

1. Stephen (Istifānu ʾl-Qadīm): Translated for K͟hālid ibn Yazīd.
2. Batrīq: Worked on a translation for the Caliph al-Manṣūr.
3. Ibn Yaḥyā and Ḥusain bin Bahrīq: Also notable translators of Persian works.
4. Mūsā and Yūsuf, sons of K͟hālid, and Ḥasan ibn Sahl: Translated from the Indian languages.
5. Distinguished philosophers like Ḥunain, Abū ʾl-Faraj, Yaḥyā an-Naḥwī, Yaʿqūb ibn Isḥāq al-Kindī, and Ibn Sīnā (Avicenna) significantly contributed to the field, rendering Greek and other texts into Arabic and furthering the development of logical studies.

Notable Translations

An example of such translation work is an Arabic treatise on logic, which has even been translated into English by the Bengal Asiatic Society, showcasing the global dissemination of these intellectual efforts.

Suggestions for Further Study

1. Al-Kindi’s Metaphysics and Cosmology by Peter Adamson
2. The Incoherence of the Philosophers by Al-Ghazali
3. Islamic Philosophy, Science, Culture, and Religion: Studies in Honor of Dimitri Gutas by Mustafa Chaudhary

Takeaways

• ʿIlmu ʾl-mant̤iq is a critical discipline in Islamic studies, facilitating the development of other sciences.
• The translation movement under Abbasid patronage was vital in integrating Greek philosophical traditions into Islamic thought.
• Renowned Muslim scholars made significant contributions to logical inquiry, ensuring its importance in the Islamic Golden Age.

Conclusion

The study of logic holds a lasting and profound significance in Islamic intellectual history. By perusing the works of early translators and philosophers, one gains insight into the rigorous scholarly endeavor that characterizes Islamic contributions to global knowledge and understanding.