Logic and Tradition: New Light on al-Farabi's Philosophy of Logic

In this paper I discuss the intricate relationship between logic and tradition and its crucial role in al-Farabi's political philosophy. An illustrative historical example of this relationship is Mattā–al-Sirāfi debate, particularly its focus on the conflict between logic and grammar and the problem of intelligibles. These issues are pivotal in my exposition of al-Farabi's philosophy of logic. The relation of logic to grammar possesses characteristics independent of specific traditions. To explain this, I introduce the concept of 'meta-tradition' where intelligibles and the path to attaining them, are situated. This path is depicted in the philosophies of Plato and Aristotle and, according to al-Farabi's view, both philosophers shared the same understanding of happiness, which is only attainable through the widespread adoption of philosophy. This requires an education system that al-Farabi's approach to logic and his articulation of it, provide the framework for such a system, enabling the propagation of philosophical thought throughout the virtuous city.