The Cartesian Semantics of the Port Royal Logic

This book provides an English translation of the Port Royal Logic, a influential logic book from the 17th and 18th centuries, which aimed to make pre-Cartesian logic compatible with Descartes metaphysics. It introduced a new theory of reference based on objective being and reoriented semantics to center on intentional content, called comprehension. The book explores how the Logic preserved central semantic doctrines, particularly a correspondence theory of truth, by employing the doctrine of objective being. It challenges the standard reading that the Logic rejected earlier logic and Aristotelian metaphysics, highlighting its adherence to medieval theory.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 252 pages
Publication date: 13 June 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book is a groundbreaking exploration into the semantics of Port Royal Logic, a seminal work of 17th-century philosophy authored by Antoine Arnauld and Pierre Nicole. It seeks to elucidate how the Logic reworks the foundations of pre-Cartesian logic to align with Descartes' metaphysics. The authors of the Logic introduce a novel theory of reference based on the medieval concept of objective being, which forms the basis of modern intentional content. At the heart of the Logic lies its reorientation of semantics, centering on the notion of intentional content. This content, referred to as comprehension, comprises ideas with their defining modes. Mechanisms in the Logic are defined through this comprehension, which reworks earlier explanations of central concepts such as conceptual inclusion, signification, abstraction, idea restriction, sensation, and, most importantly, within the Logic's metatheory, the concept of idea-extension, a novel technical concept coined by the Logic.

While Descartes is renowned for rejecting Aristotelianism, he provides relatively little insight into technical concepts in logic. His followers, however, fill this gap by utilizing the doctrine of objective being, which had been a minor aspect of medieval logic. By doing so, they preserve more central semantic doctrines, particularly a correspondence theory of truth. A recurring theme throughout the book is the extent to which the Logic adheres to medieval theory. This interpretation contrasts with the prevailing view among French scholars, which suggests that the Logic should be understood as rejecting earlier logic and Aristotelian metaphysics.

In conclusion, this book offers a profound and detailed examination of the semantics of Port Royal Logic, shedding light on the intricate relationship between logic, metaphysics, and the broader philosophical landscape of the 17th century. It provides valuable insights into the historical development of logic and its significance in shaping the philosophical discourse of the time.

Weight: 470g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032337708