SOLO FLYING A BISHOP LOGICIAN

In the pre-electronic age, formal logic – a kind of mathematical notational language was popular with philosophers. In the techno-science development of IT and computers the formal logic could be considered the precursor to post-modern paradigm shift in information technology. By the mid- 20th century, typing machines had become popular and shorthand-typing was the in-thing for any academic and secretarial writings and communications. If demand for secretarial courses in short-hand-typing was high in corporate sector, in the philosophy departments of universities study of logic and formal logic had appeared a dominant pursuit.

At Harvard Library I found an interesting book : The History of Formal Logic. I was intrigued and profoundly impressed with the title but particularly the book fascinated me because it contained a special chapter on Indian Formal Logic. I bought the publication and discovered that the section on Indian logic concerned with the Navya-Nyaya logical text belonging to the Indian logicians of not too distant past. Mostly the Navya-Nyaya – as the term stands for “Navya”= New or Modern, and this type of logic developed around 15-17th century in India. But since the few Sanskrit texts of Navya-Nyaya system are rather complex and difficult – in their contents and logical formulation, little attention had been paid to the Navya-Nyaya by Indian scholars.

The Navya-Nyaya required a) a good grounding in Sanskrit language – its compound (samasa) structure, and b) one must be familiar with formal structure of logical reasoning that requires some understanding of mathematical formulation. That is a kind of nir-guna appreciation of universal principle of reasoning.

The author of this magnum-opus was mentioned as one Catholic Father I.M. Bochenski – an ordained monk, of Friborg Catholic University. (?) Friborg is a twin city on the border of Austria and Switzerland. I was in Vienna or Geneva ( ?) and went to meet Father Bochenski. At the appointed time, I walked up to a hill top where the monastery was located. The main gate was a tall wooden gate – resembling a Fortress of the middle ages.

A big rope was hanging at the gate instead of door bell. I pulled the rope and shortly a small window opened out. “Who is it? Oh, Dr. Sharma,” and a grand old lady briskly opened the side door and led me to a stone walled waiting room where without any formal pleasantries I was seated on a wooden chair devoid of cushion. The lady disappeared for a few minutes and returned with a huge, about 5.10 tall man dressed in white robe.

Opening discussion I said: “Father Bochensky, your History of Formal Logic is an authentic work. I was really impressed particularly since you have added a chapter on Indian Formal Logic. How did you come to know about …” and I had prepared a list of points to discuss with him. But he interrupted me:
“No, no, Prof. Sharma, today I am not in mood to discuss any philosophical issues. Just talk of something mundane, just mundane. You know today is the happiest day of my life. Can you guess..?” asked me the Christian monk.

“Father, I am lost. What mundane issue can I discuss with you? I have come all the way here to discuss some logical points raised in your book” I pleaded with Bochensky. But the big monk was unmoved. He refused to entertain any proposition other than “his mundane happiness of the historical day of his life.”

I said: “alright Father Bochensky, tell me why are you so happy today?”
Proudly the monk replied: “Today, is the first day I have flown solo.”
Not knowing what philosophical significance was there of “solo flying” to my enquiry he explained that for so many months he was taking aeroplane flying lessons where he was to sit with an instructor. He failed flying tests a few times, and finally last week he got his flying license. And this day was the day when he had flown his small aeroplane alone –solo, from Geneva to Friborg.

“Father, flying hobby is rather expensive. I cannot afford flying in the US. You as a monk had taken vow of poverty. How do you reconcile?”

“Oh, that. I have many rich lady disciples who take care of my bills. They arrange my money matters.”

Monastery’s lunch gong was heard three times, and the huge solo flying monk flew to his food. Was Bochensky really the author of the “History of Formal Logic”?