Immediate Inference

Definition:
An immediate inference is a kind of logical reasoning where a new statement (conclusion)
is drawn directly from one single proposition (premise) — without the use of any middle
term or second premise.

In other words, from one statement, we immediately infer another statement that must
also be true (if the original is true).

Example of Immediate Inference:

From the statement:

“All humans are mortal.”

We can infer:

“Some mortals are humans.”

This conclusion follows directly from the first statement — we did not need a second
premise.
This kind of inference is called Conversion (we will see below).

The Forms of Categorical Propositions (A, E, I, O)

Immediate inferences usually apply to categorical propositions, which have four

standard forms:

Type Form Example

A Universal Affirmative: All S are P All humans are mortal.

E Universal Negative: No S are P No birds are mammals.

I Particular Affirmative: Some S are P Some humans are wise.

O Particular Negative: Some S are not P Some humans are not wise.

Types of Immediate Inference

There are three main kinds:

1. Conversion

2. Obversion
3. Contraposition

Let us understand each one carefully.

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Conversion in Logic

Definition:
Conversion is an immediate inference in which the subject and predicate of a categorical
proposition are interchanged without changing the quality or meaning of the proposition.

Rules of Conversion

1. Change the positions of the subject and predicate.

o The subject of the original proposition becomes the predicate in the converted
proposition, and vice versa.

o Example:
No men are angels. → No angels are men.

2. The quality of the proposition should not change.

o If the original proposition is affirmative, the converted proposition must also remain
affirmative; if negative, it must remain negative.

o Example:
All roses are flowers. → Some flowers are roses.

3. If any term is undistributed in the original proposition, it should not become

distributed in the conclusion.

o A term that refers to “some” in the premise cannot refer to “all” in the conclusion.

o Example:
All dogs are animals. (Here, “animals” is undistributed)
Incorrect: All animals are dogs.
Correct: Some animals are dogs.

Table of Valid Conversions

Proposition Example (Original Conversion Rule Converted

Form
Type Statement) Applied Statement

Universal
Convert partially (A Some animals are
A Affirmative All cats are animals.
→ I) cats.
(All S are P)

Universal
No birds are Convert wholly (E → No mammals are
E Negative
mammals. E) birds.
(No S are P)

Particular
Some poets are Some musicians
I Affirmative Convert wholly (I → I)
musicians. are poets.
(Some S are P)

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 Proposition Example (Original Conversion Rule Converted
Form
Type Statement) Applied Statement

Particular
Negative Some men are not Cannot be
O —
(Some S are not honest. converted validly
P)

Summary Notes

• Conversion interchanges subject and predicate.

• Quality remains the same.

• Distribution cannot increase in the conclusion.

• Valid conversions:
o A → I (partial)

o E → E (full)

o I → I (full)

o O → Invalid

Obversion in Logic

Definition:
Obversion is an immediate inference in which the quality of a proposition (affirmative or
negative) is changed, and the predicate is replaced by its complement (non-P).
It expresses the same meaning in a different form and is always valid for all four types of
categorical propositions (A, E, I, O).
Steps / Rules of Obversion

1. Change the quality of the proposition.

o If the original proposition is affirmative, make it negative.

o If the original proposition is negative, make it affirmative.

o Example:
All men are mortal (affirmative) → No men are non-mortal (negative).

2. Replace the predicate with its complement.

o The predicate (P) of the original proposition is replaced by its contradictory (non-P).

o Example:
No men are angels → All men are non-angels.

3. Keep the quantity (All/Some) the same.

o The scope (universal or particular) does not change during obversion.

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 o Example:
Some men are wise → Some men are not non-wise.

Table of Valid Obversions

Type of Example (Original

Form Rule Applied Obverted Statement
Proposition Statement)

Universal Change quality →

No cats are non-
A Affirmative All cats are animals. negative;
animals.
(All S are P) Replace P with non-P

Universal Change quality →

No birds are All birds are non-
E Negative affirmative;
mammals. mammals.
(No S are P) Replace P with non-P

Particular Change quality →

Some men are not
I Affirmative Some men are honest. negative;
non-honest.
(Some S are P) Replace P with non-P

Particular
Change quality →
Negative Some fruits are not Some fruits are non-
O affirmative;
(Some S are not ripe. ripe.
Replace P with non-P
P)

Summary Notes

• Obversion always changes the quality but never the quantity.

• The predicate is replaced by its complement (non-P).

• Obversion is valid for all categorical propositions (A, E, I, O).

• It is the most universally valid immediate inference.

Contraposition and the Maxim: “First Obvert, Then Convert”

The Maxim

To obtain the contrapositive of any proposition, first obvert the proposition, then convert
it, and continue this process until you get the complement of both the subject and the
predicate terms.

Explanation

Contraposition is essentially derived by applying obversion and conversion successively.

This process systematically transforms the proposition until both terms (subject and
predicate) are complemented (non-S and non-P), and their positions are interchanged.

It works because:

• Obversion changes the quality and introduces complementation of the predicate.

• Conversion interchanges the subject and predicate.

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 • Repeating these two steps ensures both terms are properly complemented and swapped,
giving the full contrapositive.

Step-by-Step Process

Let us see how the rule “First obvert, then convert” works in practice.

Example 1:

Original: All S are P.

Step 1: Obvert
→ No S are non-P.

Step 2: Convert
→ No non-P are S.

Step 3: Obvert again

→ All non-P are non-S.

This is the contrapositive of “All S are P.”

Example 2:
Original: Some S are not P.

Step 1: Obvert
→ Some S are non-P.
Step 2: Convert
→ Some non-P are S.
Step 3: Obvert again
→ Some non-P are not non-S.

This is the contrapositive of “Some S are not P.”

General Principle Derived

Operation Effect

Obversion Changes quality; replaces predicate with its complement.

Conversion Interchanges subject and predicate.

Repeat Obversion Ensures both terms are complemented.

Thus, by repeating obversion and conversion alternately, we arrive at the contrapositive

form, where:

Subject → becomes non-P

Predicate → becomes non-S

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 Summary Rule

Step Operation Resulting Change

1 Obvert Predicate becomes its complement (non-P)

2 Convert Subject and predicate change places

3 Obvert again New predicate (former subject) becomes complemented (non-S)

Final Result “All non-P are non-S” (Contrapositive of “All S are P”)