Logica nova

logic

Also known as: Ars nova, New Logic

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June 30, 2026

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The term "Logica nova" refers to the "New Logic" that became available in Latin translation during the 12th century, primarily consisting of Aristotle's works like the Prior Analytics, Topics, and Sophistic Refutations, along with commentaries from Greek and Arabic sources. This influx of texts, alongside the Posterior Analytics, made Aristotle's complete Organon accessible in Latin.1

The Sophistic Refutations was particularly influential, sparking new logical literature focused on fallacies, their detection, and avoidance. This led to the development of sophismata treatises, the theory of "supposition" (dealing with how terms refer), and extensive studies on valid inference ("consequences"). These developments, emphasizing "properties of terms," collectively formed what was known as Logica moderna or "terminist" logic, marking a distinct medieval contribution to the field. This period saw significant logical ingenuity applied to topics like semantics, paradoxes (insolubilia), and disputation methods (obligationes).1

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history of logic
The properties of terms and discussions of fallacies
…were known collectively as the Logica nova (“New Logic”). In a flurry of activity, others in the 12th and 13th centuries produced additional translations of these works and of Greek and Arabic commentaries on them, along with many other philosophical writings and other works from Greek and Arabic sources.
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…were known collectively as the Logica nova (“New Logic”). In a flurry of activity, others in the 12th and 13th centuries produced additional translations of these works and of Greek and Arabic commentaries on them, along with many other philosophical writings and other works from Greek and Arabic sources.
Read More