more from Bertrand Russell

Single Idea 6110

[catalogued under 5. Theory of Logic / A. Overview of Logic / 1. Overview of Logic]

Full Idea

It is doubtful whether the subject-predicate logic, with the substance-attribute metaphysic, would have been invented by people speaking a non-Aryan language.

Clarification

Most European languages (e.g. Greek) are 'Aryan'

Gist of Idea

Subject-predicate logic (and substance-attribute metaphysics) arise from Aryan languages

Source

Bertrand Russell (Logical Atomism [1924], p.151)

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'Russell's Logical Atomism', ed/tr. Pears,David [Fontana 1972], p.151


A Reaction

This is not far off the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis (e.g. Idea 3917), which Russell would never accept. I presume that Russell would see true logic as running deeper, and the 'Aryan' approach as just one possible way to describe it.

Related Idea

Idea 3917 Scientific thought is essentially a specialised part of Indo-European languages [Whorf]