On Liang Qichao's Study Of Moist Logic

In the history of Chinese Logic, Liang qichao is one of the pioneers to have studiedthe Chinese native logic ——The Moist Logic. Adopting the Western and Indian Logics,Liang qichao proofread and shaped the basic system of logical thoughts in Moism. Hiscomparative research work helps us to realize the great value of the Moist Logic, andthe devotion that the Moism contributed to the development of the world logic. This thesis firstly analyses the historical situation in which Liang qichao studiedthe Moist Logic, trying to find out the way Liang qichao laid a strong basis for histraditional Chinese learnings, and the channels through which Liang qichao got hisknowledge about the Western learnings. In this way we can get to know the backgroundand the reason why it was Liang qichao who became the first to study the Moist Logicin early 20th century. Secondly, this thesis focuses on Liang qichao's annotation and interpretation ofMoist Canon. Based on the predecessors' achievements and proper edition of MoistCanon , Liang qichao made breakthrough in his academic research . He proofreadmany places which had been ignored before. From Canons to Exposition of Canons, toproofreading and last to interpretation, he adopted a new style to reconstruct andcompile the Scriptures. One of his contributions lies in his discovery of "the generalrule" ——a regulation which exposes the secret that the Chinese characters at thebeginning of the Canons and the Exposition of Canons are the same, which offers us theclue to connect the Exposition of Canons to Canons. In his interpretation, Liang qichaoborrowed western logic principles and western scientific knowledge to illuminate thecontent of Moist Canons. From both in form and in content, Liang qichao surpassed thepredecessors. Thirdly, this present thesis discusses the system of Moist logical thoughts revealedby Liang qichao , and also groups the interrelated thoughts from Liang qichao's workspublished in different times . Under the name of "concept", "proposition", "Inference",and "basic law of logic in Moism", this thesis probes into the changing route of Liangqichao's study of the logical thoughts in Moism . By contrast, this thesis makes anexposition of Liang qichao's different understanding of Moist logical thoughts indifferent stages, and seeks the reason for the differences at the same time . This verypart of the thesis shows us the points where Moist Logic share common with theWestern and Indian logics, which helps us to recognize the real value of the Moist Logicand the contributions the Moism made to the world culture. Lastly, this thesis briefly sums up the role and great influence that Liang qichao'sstudy of the Moist Logic has on the whole study of Moism ,even on the study ofChinese ancient logic.