Philosophizing Methods of Ming-Jia and Mo-Jia: Comparative Analysis

The discourse on Chinese logic emerged only in the beginning of the 20th century and consequently scholars just started to embark on explorations into this heretofore unknown field. Nowadays the question of Chinese logical framework formation is a gap, where big progress has yet to be done. Almost all studies in the sphere of Chinese logic focus on particular texts and their peculiarities, so they are not able to show the dynamic of logical framework formation process. The lack of research on this issue defines a niche that has to be filled. This study is set to enhance understanding of logic’s origin in ancient China and to raise awareness about specific features of Chinese logic using the examples of the Gongsun Long-zi and the Mo-zi as core texts in the history of Chinese philosophical thought. The aim of this paper is to distinguish several stages of logical framework formation process in ancient China through comparative analysis of the Gongsun Long-zi and the Mo-zi. Undertaken analysis will show that fragmental elements of formal logic that can be found among core texts of Chinese philosophical tradition are not random and have their own tendencies and rationales. This will allow us to claim that China has its own logical tradition that can be put at the same level as European and Indian ones. Key words: Chinese philosophy, School of Names, Gongsun Long, Mohism, Formal Logic.