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'''Prior Analytics''' is [[Aristotle]]'s work on [[logic|deductive reasoning]], or the [[syllogism]]. It is part of his ''[[Organon]]'', which is the ''instrument'' or ''manual'' of [[logic]]al and [[science|scientific]] methods. It is the first part of the ''Analytics'' (the second being the ''Posterior Analytics''). The Prior Analytics gives an account of deduction in general, the Posterior Analytics deals with demonstrative science.
'''Prior Analytics''' is [[Aristotle]]'s work on [[logic|deductive reasoning]]. It contains his exposition of the 'syllogistic', where three important principles are applied for the first time in history:<ref>Bochenski p. 63</ref> the use of variables, a purely formal treatment of reasoning, and the use of an axiomatic system.
The book is part of a larger work called the ''[[Organon]]: ''an ''instrument'' or ''manual'' of [[logic]] and method. It is the first part of the ''Analytics'' (the second being the ''Posterior Analytics''). Whereas the Prior Analytics gives an account of deduction in general, the Posterior Analytics deals with demonstrative science.
Following the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in the fifth century, much of the ''Organon'' was lost in the Latin West, including the the ''Prior'' and ''Posterior'' analytics. These works were not recovered in the West until the twelfth and early thirteenth century, together with the ''Topics'', and the ''Sophistical Refutations''.
Aristotle's theory of argumentation was fundamental to so-called ''traditional'' logic, which dominated Western thought about reasoning and argumentation until the late nineteenth century.
==Book I==
==Book I==
The first book of the Prior Analytics consists of forty-six chapters, and is roughly divided into four parts
The first book of the Prior Analytics consists of forty-six chapters, and is roughly divided into four parts
* the first deals with the conversion of propositions
* the first deals with the conversion of propositions;
* the second concerns the structure of syllogisms, in all the different figures and modes;
* the second concerns the structure of syllogisms, in all the different figures and modes;
* the third part is about the 'invention of a middle term'
* the third part is about finding a middle term;
* the last is about the resolution of syllogisms .
* the last is about the resolution of syllogisms .
A term is 'taken universally', not only when it is the subject of a universal proposition, but when it is the predicate of a negative proposition. A term is 'taken particularly', when it is either the subject of a particular, or the predicate of an affirmative proposition.
A term is 'taken universally', not only when it is the subject of a universal proposition, but when it is the predicate of a negative proposition. A term is 'taken particularly', when it is either the subject of a particular, or the predicate of an affirmative proposition.
===the invention of the middle term===
===The discovery of the middle term===
The specific rules are to consider the quantity and quality of the conclusion, in order to determine in what mode and figure of syllogism the proof is to proceed. Then find a middle term which has that relation to the subject and predicate of the proposition to be proved, which the nature of the syllogism requires.
The third part of the book contains rules, general and specific, for finding a middle term. The general rule is to consider both terms of the proposition to be proved; their definition, their properties, the things which may be affirmed or denied of them, and those of which they may be affirmed or denied. These thingsare the materials from which the middle term should be taken.
The specific rules are to consider the quantity and quality of the conclusion, in order to determine in what mode and figure of syllogism the proof is to proceed. Then find a middle term which has that relation to the subject and predicate of the proposition to be proved, which the nature of the syllogism requires.
===The resolution of syllogisms===
===The resolution of syllogisms===
== Book II==
== Book II==
The second book concerns the powers of syllogisms. Aristotle shews, in twenty-seven chapters, how many different powerful arguments can be constructed from syllogisms, and what figures and modes are best adapted to each. He also gives suggestions both to the person prosecuting the argument, and to the one who defends. This suggests that Aristotle introduced in his own school the practice of syllogistical disputation, instead of the rhetorical and dialectical techniques which the Sophists used in earlier periods.
The second book concerns the powers of syllogisms. Aristotle shows, in twenty-seven chapters, how many different powerful arguments can be constructed from syllogisms, and what figures and modes are best adapted to each. He also gives suggestions both to the person prosecuting the argument, and to the one who defends. This suggests that Aristotle introduced in his own school the practice of syllogistical disputation, instead of the rhetorical and dialectical techniques which the Sophists used in earlier periods.
==Notes==
==Notes==
[[Category:Aristotelian logic]]
[[Category:Aristotelian logic]]
[[Category:Logic]]
[[Category:Logic]]
[[Category:Science/Math/Logic_and_Foundations]]
