An introductory text-book of logic - Mellone, Sydney - Rare Books at ...

64
THE LOGICAL PROPOSITION.
the reference is to a definite group, whose work as a whole
constitutes the foundation of what we know as Logic ; the
Subject is therefore a singular collective term. (4) The
a universal
absence of any sign of quantity generally signifies
proposition.
This applies specially
to proverbs and current
sayings. But if there is really any doubt on this point the
proposition must be made particular.
We add a series of examples, the treatment of which
should be carefully noticed by the student.
(1)
"Blessed are the merciful."
(a) The statement is made about "merciful ones." (&) It
is affirmed that they are
"
blessed." (c) This predicate is
intended to apply to all of the class. Hence the proposition
is of the form SaP,
"
All merciful ones are blessed."
(2) "Democracy ends in despotism."
This proposition makes an assertion
"
about
governments," affirms that they are
"
Democratic
things ending in des
instance of
potism," and intends this to apply to democratic government.
every
Hence the form is SaP, "All
democratic governments are things ending in despotism."
(3)
" Murder will out."
The proposition speaks of
"
murders," affirms that they
are "sooner or later discovered," and intends this to apply
to every instance. Hence SaP, "All murders are dis
covered sooner or later."
(4) "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."
This is put in logical form simply by attaching a sign
of quantity to the Subject. We may assume that the state
ment is intended to apply to "
every case of a little know
ledge"; hence the form is SaP.
(5) "Amongst Englishmen a few great generals are
found."
Henceforth we shall distinguish the three points in the
logical analysis of a statement in the following order
(a) What is the statement made about? (ff) What is as
serted about it? (c) Does the assertion apply to part or
whole? In this example we have
(a) Great generals ;
(fr) found amongst Englishmen ;
(c) affirmed of part of subject ;