Syllogistic Logic

1.

Categorical Propositions

2.

Venn Diagram

3.

The Square of Opposition: Tradition / Modern

Conversion, Obversion, Contraposition
Syllogisms: Mood / figure / Validity Syllogism

4.
5.

Categorical Proposition
A

(universal affirmative) :
All S are P
E (universal negative):
No S are P
I (particular affirmative):
Some S are P
O (particular negative):
Some S are not P

Categorical Propositions
Quality
Affirmative
Universal

A: All men
are mortal.

Negative

E: No cats
are dogs.

Quantity

Particular

I: Some books
are good.

O: Some birds
are not red.

Venn Diagram
P

S
SP
1

SP

SP

SP

The Square of Proposition: Tradition

All S are P

Contrary
Co
nt

y
r
o

ct
i
d di
a
ct
r
t
or
n
o
y
C

I
Some S are P

Contradictory

E
T

Subaternates

Subaternates

No S are P

O
Some S are not P

Contrary ( )
A

When two propositions are contrary to each

other, they could not both be true, but could
both be false.
When the one is true, the other must be false.
When the one is false, the other is
indeterminate.

Suncontrary ( )
I

When two propositions are subcontrary to each

other, they could not both be false, but could
both be true.
When the one is false, the other must be true.
When the one is true, the other is
indeterminate.

Contradictory ( )
A
E

O
I

When the one is true, the other must be false.

When the one is false, the other must be true.
When two propositions are contradictory,
they always have the opposite true value.

Subalternation ( )
A

True

False

When A is true, I must be true.

When E is true, O must be
true.

True

False

When I is false, A must be

false.
When O is false, E must be
false.

A: All S are P

(Tradition)

E: No S are P

(Tradition)

I: Some S are P
P

O: Some S are not P

P

A: All S are P
P

E: No S are P
P

The Square of Proposition: Modern

All S are P

No S are P

E
Co
nt

y
r
o

ct
i
d di
a
ct
r
t
or
n
o
y
C

I
Some S are P

O
Some S are not P

Conversion
p

A: s
1

s
conversion

p
1

E: s

p
1

conversion

p
1

3
4

I:

p
1

s
conversion

p
1

O
:

p
1

conversion

3
4

p
1

3
4

Obversion
p

A: s
1

s
obversion

p
1

E: s

p
1

obversion

p
1

3
4

I:

p
1

s
obversion

p
1

O
:

p
1

obversion

3
4

p
1

3
4

Contraposition
p

A: s
1

s
contraposition

p
1

E: s

p
1

contraposition

p
1

3
4

I:

p
1

contraposition

p
2

O
:

p
1

contraposition

3
4

p
1

3
4

Mood
Middle term
( )

C.P. (A,E,I,O)

Q M C P

Major premise (

C.P. (A,E,I,O)

Q S C M

Minor premise (

C.P. (A,E,I,O)

Q S C P

minor
term
( )

majo
r

term

Figure
F1

F2

F3

F4

M P
S M
S P

P M
S M
S P

M P
M S
S P

P M
M S
S P

Collar figure