Naslov
Counterfactual Reasoning in Early Chinese Philosophy

Autori
Buljan, Ivana

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, neobjavljeni rad, ostalo

Skup
21st International Conference of the International Society for Chinese Philosophy

Mjesto i datum
Bern, Švicarska, 02.07.2019. - 05.07.2019

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
counterfactual thinking, early Chinese philosophy

Sažetak
Counterfactual Reasoning in Early Chinese Philosophy Counterfactual reasoning – the creation of mental alternatives to reality – is an important part of theoretical thinking. It includes entering a hypothetical state of affairs in attempt to answer the question „What if?“ In this kind of reasoning a hypothesis is established on the basis of an action/state/event that did not happen. An unfulfilled condition or cause from the past or present is connected with its potential effect. The pattern of the counterfactual reasoning is: „X is not the case, but if X then y.“ Consideration of possibilities and their various consequences is in the background of ethical/political and scientific thinking. However, according to Western studies of China, from the time of the Jesuits, in traditional Chinese science and discourse the presence of counterfactual thinking is not frequent. Recently, Roger Ames and David Hall observed that counterfactual statements are not “efficaciously present in Classical Chinese philosophy” and that such a way of thinking is relatively unimportant in Classical Chinese texts. In this presentation we will examine the role and possible importance of counterfactual thinking in Classical Chinese philosophical texts. Examination of the counterfactual reasoning could contribute to the understanding of the nature and sensibility of Classical Chinese philosophical thought.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Filozofija

POVEZANOST RADA