“Enjoyment and Conviviality Book” (984) by Abu Hayyan al-Tawhidi and Its Famous Dispute about Language and Logic

Abu Hayyan al-Tawhidi is famous for being a valuable informant on secret sects, notable scholars of his time, as well as a transmitter of the unique logical-linguistic dispute that was held between his grammar teacher, Abu Sa’id al-Sirafi, and the Christian logician Abu Bishr Matta (in Baghdad in 932). It was reflected by the author in the аeight’s “Night” (part) of his Magnum Opus the “Book of Enjoyment and Conviviality” (984). The plot of this famous scientific event revolves around the assumption that those who master language and grammar can efficiently deal with logical issues. Therefore, from Sirafi’s point of view, logic is only a “destructive trick” of “arrogant people” and a “blatant disrespect for the mother tongue.” Matta insisted that only through this science can one correctly distinguish between false and factual statements. The dialogue gives a brilliant idea of the traditionalists’ view of the ancient Greek heritage, particularly the concepts of “logos” and “syllogism”. According to the language criteria, Sirafi also reformulates the traditional view of the first al-Falasifa , al-Kindi . The research also examines, with the help of formal logic, whether this dialogue could be transmitted as we read it today.