Buddhist Logic (2 volumes)

DETAILS : 

• Author : TH Stcherbatsky
  
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Motilal Banarsidass Publishing House
  
• Publication date : 1 January 2008
  
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
  
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 1048 pages
  
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 8120810198
  
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-8120810198
  
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1400 g

ABOUT THE BOOK

Buddhist Logic by Th. Stcherbatsky (Theodor Shcherbatskoy) is a monumental work in the field of Indology and Oriental studies. First published in the early 1930s, these two volumes remain the most comprehensive and authoritative English-language analysis of the "Epistemological School" of Buddhism, primarily focusing on the works of Dharmakirti and Dignaga.

Overview of the 2 Volumes

Volume 1: The System

This volume provides the theoretical and philosophical framework of Buddhist logic.

• The Theory of Perception: Stcherbatsky explains how Buddhist logicians defined "reality" as momentary points of energy (Svalaksana).
• The Theory of Inference: A deep dive into how Buddhists used logic to prove spiritual truths, moving from known premises to unknown conclusions.
• The Battle of Ideas: The author provides a fascinating comparison between Buddhist logic and the schools of Nyaya (Hindu Logic) and even Western philosophers like Kant and Aristotle.

Volume 2: The Text

This volume is primarily for the serious student or linguist. It contains:

• The Nyayabindu: A translation of Dharmakirti's "Short Treatise on Logic."
• Detailed Commentaries: It includes the commentary by Dharmottara, which is essential for understanding the cryptic original verses.
• Technical Terms: A vast glossary of Sanskrit logical terms, which is invaluable for researchers.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Theodor Stcherbatsky (1866–1942) was a Russian Indologist who is credited with putting Buddhist philosophy on the map of world logic. He was a master of Sanskrit and Tibetan, and he lived in India and Mongolia to study with traditional scholars. His work is praised for being the first to prove that Indian logic was just as rigorous and complex as Greek logic.