Cambridge University Press Aristotle's Modal Logic: Essence and Entailment in the Organon

Aristotle's Modal Logic, first published in 1995, presents an interpretation of Aristotle's logic by arguing that a proper understanding of the system depends on an appreciation of its connection to the metaphysics. Richard Patterson develops three striking theses in the book. First, there is a fundamental connection between Aristotle's logic of possibility and necessity, and his metaphysics, and that this connection extends far beyond the widely recognised tie to scientific demonstration and relates to the more basic distinction between the essential and accidental properties of a subject. Second, Aristotle's views on modal logic depend in very significant ways on his metaphysics without entailing any sacrifice in rigour. Third, once one has grasped the nature of the relationship, one can understand better certain genuine difficulties in the system of logic and appreciate its strengths in terms of the purposes for which it was created. Review "...I find the book valuable in working through the texts and modern interpretations of Aristotle's modal syllogistic." Allan Back, Philosophy in Review"...an important book....His study gives a useful survey of different interpretations of controversial questions about Aristotle's modal syllogistic logic." Leo J. Elders, The Review of Metaphysics Book Description This 1995 book argues that a proper understanding of Aristotle's modal logic requires an appreciation of its connection to the metaphysics. From the Back Cover Aristotle was both a great metaphysician and the inventor of logic, including the logic of possibility and necessity. Aristotle's Modal Logic presents a very new interpretation of Aristotle's logic by arguing that a proper understanding of the system depends on an appreciation of its connection to the metaphysics. Richard Patterson develops three striking theses in the book. First, there is a fundamental connection between Aristotle's logic of possibility and necessity and his metaphysics, a connection extending far beyond the widely recognized tie to scientific demonstration and relating to the more basic distinction between the essential and accidental properties of a subject. Second, although Aristotle's views on modal logic depend in very significant ways on his metaphysics, this does not entail any sacrifice in logical rigor. Third, once one has grasped the nature of the relationship, one can better understand certain genuine difficulties in the system of logic and also appreciate its strengths in terms of the purposes for which it was created.