On the Syllogism: And Other Logical Writings

The Syllogism and Other Logical Writings, published in 1966, collects Augustus De Morgan's five celebrated memoirs on the syllogism, along with his Syllabus of a Proposed System of Logic and an article on Logic contributed to the English Cyclopaedia. Despite his significant contributions to mathematical logic, De Morgan's writings have been relatively overlooked, buried in inaccessible periodicals. The text includes De Morgan's own later amendments and an editorial introduction that outlines the feud with Sir William Hamilton of Edinburgh.

Format: Hardback
Length: 386 pages
Publication date: 31 October 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Originally published in 1966, "On the Syllogism and Other Logical Writings" brings together the five celebrated memoirs of Augustus De Morgan on the syllogism. These memoirs, along with the more condensed accounts of his research presented in his Syllabus of a Proposed System of Logic and an article on Logic contributed to the English Cyclopaedia, are now collected for the first time. While De Morgan was undoubtedly one of the most distinguished British mathematicians of the nineteenth century, his legacy is primarily associated with his groundbreaking contributions to modern mathematical logic. Regrettably, his writings on this subject have received limited attention, largely due to the fact that, apart from his seminal work "Formal Logic," they are largely buried in inaccessible periodicals. To enhance the accessibility of his ideas, De Morgan's own later amendments have been incorporated into the text, and an editorial introduction provides a comprehensive summary of the entire work, while also tracing in detail the course of the once-famous feud with Sir William Hamilton of Edinburgh.

Augustus De Morgan, a renowned British mathematician of the nineteenth century, is best remembered today as one of the founders of modern mathematical logic. While his mathematical achievements were immense, his writings on this subject have largely been overlooked, despite their profound significance. In "On the Syllogism and Other Logical Writings," published in 1966, this collection brings together the five celebrated memoirs of De Morgan on the syllogism. These memoirs, along with the more condensed accounts of his research presented in his Syllabus of a Proposed System of Logic and an article on Logic contributed to the English Cyclopaedia, are now gathered for the first time.

De Morgan's contributions to logic were groundbreaking and transformative. He introduced new concepts and frameworks that greatly expanded the scope of mathematical reasoning. His work on the syllogism, in particular, played a crucial role in shaping the development of logic and set the stage for subsequent advancements. However, De Morgan's writings on logic have been relatively less accessible, mainly due to their publication in obscure periodicals. To rectify this, the present collection includes De Morgan's own later amendments, ensuring that his ideas are presented in a more readily accessible manner.

An editorial introduction provides a comprehensive summary of the entire work, tracing the development of De Morgan's ideas and highlighting their significance. It also delves into the feud with Sir William Hamilton of Edinburgh, which played a significant role in shaping De Morgan's philosophical outlook and contributions to logic. The introduction sheds light on the intellectual context in which De Morgan worked and the challenges he faced, providing valuable insights into the man and his work.

In conclusion, "On the Syllogism and Other Logical Writings" is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history of logic and the development of mathematical reasoning. By bringing together the celebrated memoirs of Augustus De Morgan, along with his more condensed accounts of research, this collection provides a comprehensive view of his contributions to the field. De Morgan's work on the syllogism, in particular, remains a cornerstone of modern mathematical logic, and his ideas continue to inspire and influence scholars to this day. Through the inclusion of De Morgan's own later amendments and an editorial introduction that provides context and insights, this collection ensures that his legacy is preserved and accessible to a broader audience.

Weight: 880g
Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367194901