Abu Saʿīd’s Paradox, Ibn Sina’s Solution

Abstract

There is a famous correspondence between Abu Saʿīd Abu al-Khair and Ibn Sina in which the former claims that the syllogistic is suffering from vicious circle and the latter tries to deny the accusation. About this correspondence, two studies have been conducted so far, which are mostly historical and do not provide satisfactory logical clarity to the discussion. The current essay, in addition to trying to remove this shortcoming, adds four new points to the discussion: (1) Contrary to some appearances of the text, Ibn Sina presents two interpretations of the same solution, not two separate solutions. (2) Ibn Sina's solution can be considered based on the distinction between Essentialistic and Actualistic Propositions. (3) Ibrahim Noi's claim - who says that no logician has proposed such a solution except for Naini - will no longer be acceptable. (4) Some of the historical background of Fakhr al-Din Razi's Essentialistic/Actualistic distinction, and its application in Syllogistic by Shams al-Din Samarqandi, will be revealed.