On Chinese Ancient Thought Of Reasoning By Analogy

Reasoning by analogy is an inference that was extensively applied and deeply researched by Chinese ancient thinkers, it is a predominant inference type of Chinese logic and also is an important presentation in specialty of Chinese logic tradition. Reasoning by analogy contain broad sense and narrow sense. The broad sense analogy indicates generally the inference based on genus, which equal to what we now say inference (contain deduce, induce, analogy). The narrow sense analogy only points several typical inference form based on same genus that the ancients discussed in Mohist Argument: pi, mou, yuan, tui, which mostly equal to what we now say analogy.This thesis defines the concept of reasoning by analogy first, investigates the formation process of genus in logic category by associating with the social history background of the China ancient times, and thoroughly investigates the each stage of sprout, produce, development of analogy thought.On the basis of history investigation in reasoning by analogy, writer apply comparison method make a analysis and summary on characteristics of reasoning by analogy from the aspects of inferential premise, purpose, function, intension , logic nature and its formal level etc. Why reasoning by analogy can be the predominant inference type in Chinese ancient logic and present its"China special features"in many aspects, that closely relate to the Chinese ancient social culture environment in which reasoning by analogy produced and developed , such as the culture tradition, language and word and geometry etc.Making thorough history investigation and right culture explanation on the thought of reasoning by analogy have the certain theoretic meaning and realistic meaning. This kind of investigation and explanation reveals Chinese logic tradition and thought characteristics: Chinese logic tradition regards integrity as the basic point, is good at synthesize, emphasizes on practical use and makes a point of the social ethical relations. Although in the modern age, Chinese logic about reasoning by analogy is in the bad situation on science proof, but this kind of"reasoning by genus"which is full of humanities, language using and scene, have important value to modern social culture and moral construction.