The Rules of Logic

A classic textbook on the study of logic

In the Muslim East, logic was an integral part of the syllabus of schools and found to be especially helpful for legal studies. It was in this milieu that The Rules of Logic was composed by Najm al-Din al- Katibi, a scholar of the Shafi¿i school of law.

The Rules of Logic is the most widely read introduction to logic in the Arabic-speaking world. It has probably enjoyed a longer shelf-life than any other logic textbook ever written, having been in use by madrasah students from the early eighth/fourteenth century up until the present day. Building on the theories of Avicenna, al-Razi, and other pioneers of logic, al-Katibi discusses the many pitfalls of building arguments and setting out unambiguous claims in natural language. The enduring nature of the text is a testament to al-Katibi and his impact on concepts of formal discourse and argument. Accompanied by an informative commentary on the text by translator Tony Street, The Rules of Logic brings to an English readership an influential text that has shaped the work of scholars of logic for centuries.

An English-only edition, including a commentary by translator Tony Street.