Thinking about Contradictions: The Imaginary Logic of Nikolai Aleksandrovich Vasilev [Hardcover]

This volume examines the entire logical and philosophical production of Nicolai A. Vasilev, studying his life and activities as a historian and man of letters. Readers will gain a comprehensive understanding of this influential Russian logician, philosopher, psychologist, and poet.

The author frames Vasilevs work within its historical and cultural context. He takes into consideration both the situation of logic in Russia and the state of logic in Western Europe, from the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th. 

Following this, the book considers the attempts to develop non-Aristotelian logics or ideas that present affinities with imaginary logic. It then looks at the contribution of traditional logic in elaborating non-classical ideas. This logic allows the author to deal with incomplete objects just as imaginary logic does with contradictory ones. Both logics are objects of interesting analysis by modern researchers.

This volume will appeal to graduate students and scholars interested not only in Vasilevs work, but also in the history of non-classical logics.

1. An Unquiet Life, a Multi-faceted Output.- 2. The Historical and Cultural Context.- 3. The Logic of Concepts.- 4. Non-Aristotelian Logic.- 5. Imaginary Logic.- 6. Interpretations.

The volume is certainly an excellent choice for the libraries of historians of logic. & This book, which shows in an absolutely clear and well-documented way the slow and difficult path traveled by Vasilievhis sources, influences, innovations, and misstepsis an essential source book for future studies. (E. L. Gomes, History and Philosophy of Logic, March 29, 2019)

Venanzio Raspa is associate professor of Theoretical Philosophy at the University of Urbino, where he currently teaches Philosophical Propalc'