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Logic in the Talmud

שו”תCategory: Talmudic studyLogic in the Talmud
asked 6 months ago

I know you’ve dealt with the subject extensively, but I would appreciate a concise answer and a reference to sources.
Do you think there is logic and consistency in the Gemara, and if so, is the logic of the Gemara still valid today?
thanks.


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מיכי Staff answered 6 months ago
Too general a question. Basic logic is universal and clearly applies to the Gemara as well. There are certain ways of thinking that characterize the Gemara, but they are not logic. Talmudic logic books in our series attempt to use modern logical tools to decipher issues, and of course they are also universal.

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שמואל replied 6 months ago

Is it publicly available?
If not, why not?

מיכי Staff replied 6 months ago

Definitely available. Buy on Amazon

יוסי כהן replied 6 months ago

Why was the series (mostly) written in English?

יוסי כהן replied 6 months ago

Sorry, my mistake.

י.א. replied 6 months ago

Thank you. I would love to understand more.
The structure of the Gemara seems to be built on arguments and conclusions, but many times it seems to contradict logical necessity. Sometimes it seems unnecessary, sometimes it is only possible, and sometimes it even seems the exact opposite, etc. How can I understand the Gemara with my tools? In addition, how do you use modern logical tools? It did not exist in their time, at least the awareness of them?
Thank you.

מיכי Staff replied 6 months ago

This does not contradict logic, but arguments in everyday contexts are not necessarily logical arguments. Some of them are analogies and generalizations, etc. I cannot answer such general questions. The laws of logic are conceptualizations of ways of thinking that existed before, even before someone grasped them and turned them into a logical law (even before Aristotle, everyone knew that if all chairs are made of wood and this is a chair, then it is made of wood). Modern tools continue to conceptualize ways of thinking that existed before and used them even if unconsciously.

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