Aristotle's logic, our scope, group format
waveletter
since Byzantine times as the "Organon," or tool, of the sciences. These
works are: "Categories," "On Interpretation," "Topics," "On Sophistical
Refutations," "Prior Analytics," and "Posterior Analytics."
Our scope is the entire corpus of Aristotle's logic. The "Categories"
and "On Interpretation" are believed to be the earliest of Aristotle's
logical works. But, although they have enjoyed almost continuous
appraisal and critique since they were written (in the 4th century
BCE), they are somewhat schematic, perhaps heavily redacted, and
difficult to interpret. Accordingly, we begin with a later and more
accessible treatise: the "Topics." It is well-organized, flows
progressively, defines its terminology clearly, and carries a more
conventional Aristotelian flavor. It concentrates on dialectical
reasoning--the style of philosophical debate that Plato presents in his
earlier dialogues, such as the "Euthydemus" and the "Meno." We shall
occasionally delve into what seems to be an appendix to the "Topics,"
"On Sophistical Refutations." From its content, the "Topics" evidently
predates the "Prior Analytics," and perhaps the "Posterior Analytics"
too, yet covers many of the ideas presented in the "Categories" and "On
Interpretation"; it is a reasonable point of departure into The
Philosopher's logical works.
This format for the group is not rigid. We may depart from the proposed
order, and we may pick up other paths of investigation as suits the
needs and interests of the list's participants. Aristotle's place among
ancient philosophers and the impact of his thinking on current
philosophical trends are of course within the scope of our reading
within the "Organon."