LessonsThe First Figure: Conditions of Validity and Four Productive MoodsQuiz

The note on printed page 76 adds that a merely possible minor premise, considered as such, is not productive. Here the minor only states that belonging to the middle is possible, not that it actually holds.

For example, “Every A can be B” does not establish that every A actually is B. A major about all actual Bs cannot automatically transfer its result to As merely on the strength of possible membership.

This is a modal qualification. The four standard moods treated here use an affirmative relation strong enough to establish the required middle-term connection.

Opening interactive controls...

A qualification about a merely possible minor

The First Figure: Conditions of Validity and Four Productive Moods

The note on printed page 76 adds that a merely possible minor premise, considered as such, is not productive. Here the minor only states that belonging to the middle is possible, not that it actually holds.

For example, “Every A can be B” does not establish that every A actually is B. A major about all actual Bs cannot automatically transfer its result to As merely on the strength of possible membership.

This is a modal qualification. The four standard moods treated here use an affirmative relation strong enough to establish the required middle-term connection.