OPPOSITION
OF PROPOSITION:
The doctrine of opposition of proposition may be
considered from two points of view. Firstly, we may considered it as expressing relations between proposition in
the traditional schedule : (A, E, I,
O) (Proposition) secondary we may considered it as a process of inference.
The term opposition is used for the relation between
the two proposition having the same subject and the same predicate but
differing either inequality, are in quality or in both. The traditional
logicians applied the doctrine of proposition to the four kinds of categorical
proposition.
Taking a ‘A’, ‘E’,’I’,’O’ proposition in pairs, four
kinds of proposition are possible, there are
contradiction, contrarily, sub – contrarily and sub – alteration. These
four forms of opposition are represented by diagram called the square of
proposition.
1) Contradictory
opposition (or Contradiction):
Contradictory
opposition is the relation between two proposition having the same subject and
same predicate which refer both in quantity and quality. It is the relation
between A & O proposition, and between E & I proposition. Thus, the
proposition, “All honest men are not happy” are contradictory.
Similarly, the
propositions. “All politicians are unselfish & some politician are selfish”
are contradictory.
2) Contrary
opposition (or contrariety) :
Contrary
opposition is the relation between two universal propositions deferring in
quality. It is the relation between ‘A’ & ‘E’ proposition. Thus, the
propositions. “All ministers are corrupt & no ministers are corrupt” are
contraries.
3) Sub –
contrary opposition (or Sub – contrariety):
Sub –
contrary opposition is the relation between two particular propositions
deferring in quality. It is the relation between ‘I’ & ‘O’ propositions.
Thus “some dishonest men are not rich” are sub – contrary.
4) Sub – alter
opposition (or sub – alternation)
Sub –
alter opposition is the relation between two proposition having the same
quantity. A and I proposition, as well as E & O proposition are sub alters.
Eg.: “All painter are artist”
“some painter are artist” are sub -
alter.
Similarly,
no saints are immoral & some saints are not immoral are sub – alter.
In this
kind of opposition, the universal is called sub – alternant and the particular
is called sub- alternate.
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The
Four Aristotelian Propositions
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Universal affirmative
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A
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Omne S est P
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Every S is P
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All S is P
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Universal negative
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E
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Nullum S est P
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No S is P
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All S is not P
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Particular affirmative
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I
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Quoddam S est P
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Some S is P
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Some S is P
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Particular negative
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O
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Quoddam S non est P
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Some S is not P
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Some S is not P
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RELATION TABLE FOR THE
SECOND PROPOSITION TO THE FIRST PROPOSITION
1) CONTRADICTORY OPPOSITION
( OR CONTRADICTION )
It is a relation between A and
O proposition and between E and I proposition
2) CONTRARY OPPOSITION ( OR
CONTRARIETY )
It is the relation between A
and E proposition
3) SUBCONTRARY OPPOSITION (
OR SUBCONTRARIETY )
It is the relation between I
and O proposition
4) SUBALTERN OPPOSITION ( OR
SUBALTERNATION )
It is the relation between A
and I proposition as well as E and O proposition
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OPPOSITION
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PROPOSITION
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RELATION
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CONTRADICTORY
OPPOSIOTION ( OR CONTRADICTION )
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1ST PROPOSITION
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ALL S IS P
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A
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2ND PROPOSITION
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SOME S IS NOT P
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O
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1ST PROPOSITION
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NO S IS P
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E
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2ND PROPOSITION
|
SOME S IS P
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I
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CONTRARY OPPOSITION
(OR CONTRARIETY)
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1ST PROPOSITION
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ALL S IS P
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A
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2ND PROPOSITION
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NO S IS P
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E
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SUBCONTRARY OPPOSITION
(OR SUBCONTRARIETY)
|
1ST PROPOSITION
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SOME S IS P
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I
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2ND PROPOSITION
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SOME S IS NOT P
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O
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SUBCONTRARY OPPOSITION
(OR SUBCONTRARIETY)
|
1ST PROPOSITION
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ALL S IS P
|
A
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2ND PROPOSITION
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SOME S IS P
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I
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1ST PROPOSITION
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NO S IS P
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E
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2ND PROPOSITION
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SOME S IS NOT P
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O
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PRACTICE & SOLVE :
(BASED ON THE PATTERN OF QUESTION PAPER OF UNIVERSITY)
Point out the relation of
the second proposition to the first proposition in the following pairs of
propositions :
i) Some physicists are mathematicians.
All
mathematicians are physicists.
ii) All criminals are to be punished
Some criminals are not be punished
.
iii) Some students are lazy
Some
students are not lazy
iv) No saints are pious.
All
saints are pious .
v) China is not a democratic country.
China
is democratic country .
vi) Some vegetarians are those who enjoy good health.
No
vegetarian are those who enjoy good health.
