The 20th Century, History Of Chinese Logic

This paper examines the study of ancient Chinese logic, especially the study of pre-Qin-Age logic in 20th century.The central task of the study of the history of Chinese logic is to investigate the features and developing laws of the ancient Chinese theory about inference. According to the central task, the study of ancient Chinese logic in 20th century can be divided into several distinct phases. The first phase is the pioneering phase, dating from the beginning of 20th century to the end of 1930s. During that time, the scholars applied European logic and ancient Indian logic to explain the materials of ancient Chinese Mingbian theory, and discovered that there were plenty of logical theories in ancient China. During the second phase, dating from 1940s to the end of 1970s, basing on their various outlooks about the history of logic, scholars did research of various kinds. The investigation in this period was both abroad and profound, and this period is the one when the study of the history of Chinese logic develops fully. During the third phase which was from the end of 1970s until the end of 1980s, the logic theory in ancient Chinese Mingbian theory was explained under the guidance of European logic. During the fourth phase which is from the end of 1980s till the end of 20th century, the method of applying European logic to explain ancient Chinese Mingbian theory was reflected, and the vision of study was developed. The nature of ancient Chinese logic was inquired and the more scientific methods of the study were developed. Through the whole history of 20th century, the study from the end of 1970s till the end of 1980s is the re-occurrence of the study in the first 40 yeas of the century at a higher level, and the study during the end of 1980s till the end of 20th century is the re-occurrence of the study from 1940s till the end of 1970s at some higher level.There are two most significant events in the study of Chinese logic during the 20th century. The first one is the comparison between ancient Chinese logic with European logic at the beginning of the century. By comparison, it is found that there are some similarities between ancient Chinese logic and European logic, and began the true research of Chinese logic.The other event is the study of ancient Chinese Mingbian theory at the end of 20th century. This study put ancient Chinese logic in the context of Chinese inherent culture, and helped to better know the nature and laws of ancient Chinese logic.The study of ancient Chinese logic in the 20th century found the logic that existed in ancient China and the features and the laws of ancient Chinese logic, and has laida solid foundation for the study in this new century.Two lessons can be drawn from the study of the history of the ancient Chinese logic.Firstly, the method of comparison between ancient Chinese logic with European and ancient Indian logic is as important as the one of analysis with the real condition which is necessary to logic. Without comparison and the guidance of modern logic, the historical analysis can not do well in knowing ancient Chinese logic. Wrong conclusion is prone to come from comparison without historical analysis. Both methods can be better combined on the basis of the study of ancient Chinese Mingbian theory. Comparison must be based upon modern logic, and at the same time apply other modern scientific theories to know other thoughts relevant to logic in ancient Chinese documentation.The second lesson is to prompt scholarship democracy and to encourage scholarly investigation of all forms. The history of 20th century shows that even the partial or not-so-good ideas can spur others to reflect and so to raise the study to a higher standard.