Traditional classification of Propositions:

 Traditional classification of Propositions

Traditional logicians have divided propositions into singular and general.

Singular propositions have a single individual as a subject. This means, in a singular proposition, the subject is a singular individual thing and predicate is a class of individuals.
                                                                                  

General propositions have a group of individuals as a subject. This means, in a General proposition, we have a group of individuals as a subject as well as a group of individuals as a predicate.

The general propositions are of two types, universal and general.

When the general proposition says something about the entire group indicated in the subject, it is known as a universal proposition.

When the general proposition says something about a part of the group indicated in the subject, it is known as a particular proposition.

Both singular and general propositions are either affirmative or negative. When we are told that the subject has the quality indicated in the predicate, the proposition is said to be affirmative. When we are told that the subject does not have the quality indicated in the predicate, the proposition is said to be negative.

In case of affirmative propositions, in singular proposition, the quality indicated in the group stated in the predicate is applicable to the individual indicated in the subject, while in general proposition, it either is applicable to the entire group indicated by the subject, as in universal propositions, or to a part of the group indicated by the subject, as in particular propositions.

In case of negative propositions, in singular proposition, the quality indicated in the group stated in the predicate is not applicable to the individual indicated in the subject, while in general proposition, it is either not applicable to the entire group indicated by the subject, as in universal propositions, or not applicable to a part of the group indicated by the subject, as in particular propositions.

According to this, the general propositions are classified into four categories.

These are:

A = Universal affirmative

E = Universal negative

I = Particular affirmative

O = Particular negative

In the next post, we shall see the relationship between these four types of general proposition types.