Science and Civilisation in China: Volume 7, The Social Background; Part 1, Language and Logic in Traditional China

Science and Civilisation in China #7.1

by Joseph Needham, Christoph Harbsmeier

Science and Civilisation in China, Volume 7 Part 1 is the first book in the final volume of this unique resource. The Chinese culture is the only culture in the world that has developed systematic logical definitions and reflections on its own and on the basis of a non-Indo-European language. Christoph Harbsmeier discusses the basic features of the classical Chinese language that made it a suitable medium for science in ancient China, discussing in detail a wide range of abstract concepts that are crucial for the development of scientific discourse. There is special emphasis on the conceptual history of logical terminology in ancient China, and on traditional Chinese views on their own language. Finally the book provides an overview of the development of logical reflection in ancient China, first in terms of the forms of arguments that were deployed in ancient Chinese texts, and then in terms of ancient Chinese theoretical concerns with logical matters.

Genres: History, China, Philosophy

504 pages, Hardcover

First published March 13, 1998

About the author

Joseph Needham was a British biochemist, historian and sinologist known for his scientific research and writing on the history of Chinese science and technology. He was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 1941, and a fellow of the British Academy in 1971. In 1992, Queen Elizabeth II conferred on him the Companionship of Honour, and the Royal Society noted he was the only living person to hold these three titles.

Reviews

[Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not a professional historian but I've heard the famous "Science and Civilisation in China" series since many years ago. Only recently that I need to cross read some Buddhist book that I found out Volume 7's introduction to Buddhist logic. I am not sure if I can find a better introduction (Chinese Buddhist logic in particular and Indian Buddhist logic on a whole) in any book anywhere. Though one can read the Yogacarabhumisastra and its available translations/commentaries for the logic, one couldn't find a better summary than what was written in here. The standard set by the author makes me want to buy the whole book series and read them. The only regret is their lofty price (~ $250 each).