Western logic can be divided into two categories: deductive logic and inductive logic. Traditional logic is mostly deductive logic. Although Aristotle (384-322 BC) is generally regarded as the founder of deductive logic, it does not mean that he was the first person to use logic. In fact, as early as the seventh century BC, Thales, known as the father of Greek philosophy and geometry, proved some geometric theorems as proof of logical argument. In addition, about the third century BC, the Stoic philosopher founded by City University of Zhi Nuo also developed some foundations of deductive logic. Aristotle's contribution lies in his masterpiece Organon, which develops the general theory of logical argument and lays the main effective form of argument, namely the famous "syllogism". The syllogism method is:

1, main house

2. Small front questions

3.∴ "Conclusion"

This form of syllogism can be replaced by a Variant, so it becomes this formula:

Provided that all f's are g's.

The minor premise x is not g.

Conclusion ∴ X is not f

Because statements in logic can be replaced by letters or symbols, this logic is also called symbolic logic. Because all statements can be replaced by symbols, logic is closely related not only to geometry, but also to algebra. ("Logical Algebra" was first founded by the German philosopher and mathematician Leibniz in the late17th century, and finally by the British mathematician george boole in the19th century. Moreover, because declarative sentences are all replaced by symbols, some symbols of logical truth function conjunctions have been logically developed.

For example:

Using these symbols and codes, we can "calculate" the logical formula, and calculate the possibility of conclusion through the arrangement and combination of names.

The theory of "propositional operation" was initiated by the ancient Stoicism and completed by modern logicians. The logic of the 20th century is mainly the continuation of17th century Leibniz's "mathematical logic", the most important of which is the "logicism" revealed by the mathematical principles of B. Russell and A. N. Whitehead, whose purpose is: "Mathematics is the extension of logic, and there is no clear boundary between mathematics and logic. In addition, intuitionism, formalism and logical positivism are the main logical trends of thought in the twentieth century. With the appearance of large electronic calculators in the mid-20th century, deductive logic has important practical functions in the design of calculators. The above is the deductive logic to describe tradition and modernity.

Inductive logic was established relatively late until17th century in Francis Bacon, England. 156 1- 1626) was formally established. The biggest difference between inductive logic and deductive logic is that the premise of inductive logic does not need to make the conclusion inevitable, but only needs to be possible. Therefore, the judgment word of deductive logic argument: "validity -L" is not applicable in inductive logic; The decision word used in inductive logic is "correctness -L". However, we must know that inductive logic is not an "incomplete" or "defective" deduction; In fact, deductive argument and inductive argument have different functions, so their functions are complementary. Many scientific laws and theories are demonstrated by induction, such as Kepler's first law of planetary motion. The biggest function of inductive argument is to expand our knowledge field.

The biggest difference between Buddhism and western logic is that western logic,

The ancient Greek syllogism and dialectics of past dynasties, including dialectics before Socrates, dialectics of Hegel and materialist dialectics of Marx, all belong to formal logic. This is the basic spirit of western logic, that is, as long as the process of argument is meaningful in reason (or reasoning), it can be said that this argument is effective and logical-that is, it is possible and acceptable in reason. This argument, through inference, may be specious in theory, but it may not be true in fact, it may not conform to the facts, and it may not be true in the future; In fact, there may never be anything that conforms to this principle. But this does not prevent it from being "tenable in theory". In other words, western logic only demonstrates whether it is plausible (theoretically possible), and never asks whether it is actually possible or feasible (practically possible). Therefore, in western logic, ethics, aesthetics, politics, sociology and other value judgments such as good, evil, beauty and ugliness are completely put aside, and only focus on the operation in our own logical framework. Therefore, making western logic draw absurd conclusions in correct argumentation.

As for Buddhism and Buddhism, this phenomenon does not exist at all. In a word, the difference between Buddhism and western logic lies in the argument of Buddhism. Finally, we must "implement" in specific life events, whether it is the material belonging to the color method (such as the four big, six roots and six dusts) or the mental method (eight senses: the method of the mind); However, don't be broad-minded and empty talk, just "practice for Buddhism" and "logic for logic". In other words, the reason why the Buddha revealed the original intention of Buddhism is to carry forward the right method and the right principle, break evil and show right, so that practitioners since since the enlightenment can realize him and become an important tool to practice self-interest and altruism; Instead of just providing "intellectuals" with a kind of "spiritual gymnastics" and a high-end luxury without words. So we can also see that Buddhism is superior to western logic.