1 - Mahajana.net

XIIIn addressing itself to the philosopher this work claims his considerationof a system of logic which is not familiar to him. It is a logic,but it is not Aristotelian. It is epistemological, but not Kantian.There is a widely spread prejudice that positive philosophy is to befound only in Europe. It is also a prejudice that Aristotle's treatmentof logic was final; that having had in this field no predecessor, he alsohas had no need of a continuator. This last prejudice seems to be onthe wane. There is as yet no agreed opinion on what the future logicwill be, but there is a general dissatisfaction with what it at present is.We are on the eve of a reform. The consideration at this juncture ofthe independent and altogether different way in which the problemsof logic, formal as well as epistemological, have been tackled byDignaga and JDharmakirti will possibly "be found of some importance.The philosopher in thus considering and comparing two differentlogics will perceive that there are such problems which the humanmind naturally encounters on his way as soon as he begins to dealwith truth and error. Such are, e. g., the problems of the essence ofa judgment, of inference and of syllogism; the problems of thecategories and of relations; of the synthetical and analytical judjments;of infinity, infinite divisibility, of the antinomies and of thedialectical structure of the understanding. From under the cover of anexotic terminology he will discern features which he is accustomed tosee differently treated, differently arranged, assigned different placesin the system and put into quite different contexts. The philosopher,if he becomes conversant with the style of Sanscrit compositions,will be tempted not only to interpret Indian ideas in European terms,but also to try the converse operation and to interpret European ideasin Indian terms.My main object has been to point out these analogies, but not toproduce any estimate of the comparative value of both logics. On thispoint I would prefer first to hear the opinion of the professional philosopherwho in this special department of knowledge has infinitelymore experience than I may ciaim to possess. I would be amply satisfiedif I only succeed to arouse his attention and through him tointroduce Indian positive philosophers into the community of theirEuropean brotherhood.