Amin Shahverdi
Abstract
In this paper, the formation and development of Signification theory and its effect on Muslim thinkers are studied. In the ancient period, there were three important schools that investigated signals and issues surrounding them. First, Aristotle investigated signs at the outset of his “On Interpretation”, ...
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In this paper, the formation and development of Signification theory and its effect on Muslim thinkers are studied. In the ancient period, there were three important schools that investigated signals and issues surrounding them. First, Aristotle investigated signs at the outset of his “On Interpretation”, as well as, at the end of his “Prior Analytics”. Second, physicians with classifying signs into two main groups made various comments about the argumentative role of them in inferences. Third, Stoics studied signs as a primary part of their logic and investigated arguments on the basis of them. In the Islamic period, Avicenna is the first logicians studying verbal signification meticulously and classifying it into three parts. Avicenna’s doctrines about verbal signification which are repeated in other logicians’ books are in accordance with Aristotle’s discourse at the beginning of “On Interpretation”. Natural verbal signification is added into logical books explicitly by Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī and after him, Afḍal al-Dīn al-Khūnajī and other logicians implied to it. Rational verbal signification is added to verbal signification in the works of Siraj al-Dīn Urmawī, Allameh Ḥelli, and Quṭb al-Dīn Shirāzī. Furthermore, Quṭb al-Dīn Rāzī with examining non-verbal signification extended the domain of signification theory, as well as he introduced a new definition of signification. This new definition of signification and attention to non-verbal signification possibly are rooted in Aristotle’s comment in the second book of Prior Analytics as well as Stoics and physicians' doctrines which were transmitted through theologians and Aristotle commentator into later logicians.
hoseyn hushangi; mohammad reza ruhani
Abstract
As a result of going behind tradition and criticizing its foundations and based upon objective and subjective elements established through centuries, modern rationality has determined a special kind of life-style, an important feature of it is the technical dominance of man over the nature. Some thinkers ...
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As a result of going behind tradition and criticizing its foundations and based upon objective and subjective elements established through centuries, modern rationality has determined a special kind of life-style, an important feature of it is the technical dominance of man over the nature. Some thinkers like Heidegger (1889-1976) thought that technology had risen out of foundations of the western world-view. Thus, he thinks that it is impossible to achieve the human and sublime goals through philosophical content of technology (essentialism). Karl Popper (1902-1994), at the other side, refuses the essentialism and insists upon the instrumental feature of technology. The analysis of modern media as a kind of technology which has its own affection on world public opinion with taking into account the semiotic various levels gets us beyond this challenge.