LessonsCategorical Propositions: Singular, Natural, Quantified and Indefinite FormsQuiz

Quantity states whether the judgment covers all or some instances. Quality states whether the predicate is affirmed or denied.

“Every student is human” is universal and affirmative.
In ordinary languages “Not every student is present” and “Every student is not present” may be confused, although their scopes differ.

Use unambiguous logical forms:
“No students are present” — universal negative.
“Some students are not present” — particular negative.

Word order matters because the scope of negation changes the content of a proposition.

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Quantity and quality are separate dimensions

Categorical Propositions: Singular, Natural, Quantified and Indefinite Forms

Quantity states whether the judgment covers all or some instances. Quality states whether the predicate is affirmed or denied.

“Every student is human” is universal and affirmative.
In ordinary languages “Not every student is present” and “Every student is not present” may be confused, although their scopes differ.

Use unambiguous logical forms:
“No students are present” — universal negative.
“Some students are not present” — particular negative.

Word order matters because the scope of negation changes the content of a proposition.