Logical Opposition
Definition and Square of Opposition
Contradiction and Contrary
Sub-Contrary and Subalteration
Part 1: Definition and Square of Opposition
Logical Opposition
Mutual exclusivity between concepts
Relations existing in between propositions
with the same subject and predicate but
differing in quantity and/or quality
Part 2: Contradiction and Contrary
Contradictions
Differ in Quality and Quantity
• If 1st is True, the 2nd is False
• If 1st is False, the 2nd is Truth
Part 2: Contradiction and Contrary
Contradictions
A: All Are Happy. True
What is the contradiction of A? What is the truth value of O?
O: “Some are not Happy” False
Part 2: Contradiction and Contrary
Contradictions
I: Some animals are ugly. False
What is the contradiction of I? What is the truth value of E?
E: “All animals are not ugly” True
Part 2: Contradiction and Contrary
Contradictions
A: All Humans Are Rational. True
O: Some Humans are not Rational. False
I: Some Humans are Immortal. False
E: All Humans are not Immortal. True
Part 2: Contradiction and Contrary
Technique with Contradictions
1. Look for the Quantity
• Universal turn into Particular
• Particular turn into Universal
2. Look for the Quality
• Positive turns into Negative
• Negative turns into Positive
3. Reverse the ‘Truth Value”
Part 2: Contradiction and Contrary
Contrary
BOTH are UNIVERSAL
Differ in Quality (+, -)
• If 1st is True, the 2nd is False
• If 1st is False, the 2nd is Doubtful
Part 2: Contradiction and Contrary
Contrary
A: All soaps are cleaners. True
E: All soaps are not cleaners. False
E: No woman are married. False
A: All woman are married. Doubtful
Possible: “Not all woman are married.”
Part 2: Contradiction and Contrary
Contrary
A: All Diamonds are Gems. True
E: All Diamonds are not gems. False
E: No apples are mangoes. False
A: All apples are mangoes. Doubtful
Possible: “Not all apples are mangoes.”
Part 2: Contradiction and Contrary
Contrary
A: All Flowers are Roses. False
E: All Flowers are not Roses. Doubtful
Possible: “Some flowers are Roses.”
E: No Bikolanos are Filipinos. True
A: All Bikolonos are Filipinos. False
Part 2: Contradiction and Contrary
Technique with Contrary
1. Follow the Rule
2. Look for the Quality
• Positive turns into Negative
• Negative turns into Positive
3. For the possibility, change the quantity
• from Universal to Particular
4. Only between “A” and “E” statements
Part 3: Sub-Contrary and Subalterations
Sub-Contrary
BOTH are Particular
Differ in Quality (+, -)
• If 1st is True, the 2nd is Doubtful
• If 1st is False, the 2nd is True
Part 3: Sub-Contrary and Subalterations
Sub-Contrary
I: Some soaps are cleaners. True
O: Not all soaps are cleaners. Doubtful
Possible: “All soaps are cleaners”
I: Some woman are married. False
O: Some woman are not married. True
Part 3: Sub-Contrary and Subalterations
Sub-Contrary
I: Some triangles are squares. False
O: Some triangles are not squares. True
I: Some students are not present. False
O: Some students are present. True
Part 3: Sub-Contrary and Subalterations
Sub-Contrary
I: Some basketball players are tall. True
O: Some basketball players are not tall. Doubtful
Possible: “All basketball players are tall.”
I: Some scholars are not dumb. True
O: Some scholars are dumb. Doubtful
Possible: “All Scholars are not dumb.”
Part 3: Sub-Contrary and Subalterations
Technique with Sub-Contrary
1. Follow the Rule
2. Look for the Quality
• Positive turns into Negative
• Negative turns into Positive
3. For the possibility, change the quantity
• from Particular to Universal
4. Only between “I” and “O” statements
Part 3: Sub-Contrary and Subalterations
Subalterations
BOTH in QUALITY
Differ in Quantity (Universal, Particular)
• If U is true, then P is True
• If U is False, then P is Doubtful
• If P is true, then U is Doubtful
• If P is False, then U is False
Part 3: Sub-Contrary and Subalterations
Subalterations
I: Some soaps are cleaners. True
A: All soaps are cleaners. Doubtful
Possible: “Some soaps are not cleaners.”
Part 3: Sub-Contrary and Subalterations
Subalterations
A: All woman are married. False
I: Some woman are married. Doubtful
Possible: “Some woman are not married.”
Part 3: Sub-Contrary and Subalterations
Subalterations
O: Some men are not spiritual. False
E: No men are spiritual. False
Part 3: Sub-Contrary and Subalterations
Subalterations
O: Some devils are not good. False
E: All devils are not good. True
Part 3: Sub-Contrary and Subalterations
Subalterations
I: Some orangers are sweet. True
A: All oranges are sweet. Doubtful
Possible: “Some oranges are not sweet.”
Part 3: Sub-Contrary and Subalterations
Subalterations
O: Not all athletes are swimmers . False
E: No athletes are swimmers. True
Possible: “Some athletes are swimmers.”
Part 3: Sub-Contrary and Subalterations
Technique with Subalterations
1. Follow the Rule
2. Determine the kind of proposition
3. Change the Quantity
• from Particular to Universal
• from Universal to Particular
4. “A” + “I” (Positive) | “E” + “O” (Negative)
Retracing our steps...
Definition and Square of Opposition
• to define a term is to explain its meaning
• Definiendum (Subject) + Defininiens (Predicate)
• Purpose of definitions
Contradiction and Contrary
• Contradiction: Differ in Quality, Quantity and Truth Value
• Contrary: Same Quantity (Universals) but different Quality
Sub-Contrary and Subalteration
• Sub-Contrary: Same Quantity (Particulars) but different Quality
• Subalteration: Same Quality (Positive/Negative)but different Quantity
Arigatougozaimasu!~
Sir Jomel Paulo G. Ebron
“Logical Opposition of Categorical Propositions”
Module 1 - Week 5