Reasoning in China and in the West: The Origins of Similarities and Differences

This article examines the differences in formal reasoning that stem from the polarity between Chinese and Western traditions. It outlines the key characteristics of Chinese rationality and analyzes the respective strengths and limitations of Chinese and Western models of reasoning as they apply to various domains of life. Culture is not a mere collection of individual values, rituals, or traditions; rather it consists of dynamic processes taking place in what is called ‘reality’. This article analyses major historical tendencies which shaped the way formal argumentation is constructed in both Western and Chinese traditions. In Western tradition the Greek philosophers – particularly Aristotle – were considered the etalon of formal reasoning. The laws of identity, non-contradiction, and the excluded middle remain deeply ingrained in Western intellectual tradition while deduction is widely regarded as a reliable method of cognition. By contrast, Chinese culture prioritized tradition and ethos which were shaped by Confucianism and survived to the current day with little change. For Chinese the main goal is not seeking the ultimate truth using the tools of formal logic but rather longing for harmony and moral perfection while keeping in mind practical feasibility. Unlike Europe, Chinese widely used reasoning by analogy while proof of contradiction was almost never used. Both Western and Chinese traditions have advantages and disadvantages. The ‘Western model’ gave rise to the modern science and technology. Chinese tradition – free from dualism – never opposes ratio and feelings. As the result, an individual is regarded as the major actor of culture – not the one who is egoistically isolated from the society but the one who is deeply imbedded into it. Such a world-view has a significant impact on Chinese society and helps it to consolidate around one idea and develop at an accelerated pace as we can currently observe.