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Handbook of the History of Logic: - Fordham University Faculty

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274 Terence Parsons<br />

o<strong>the</strong>r modes can be defined in terms <strong>of</strong> ascent and descent. Here is a chart laying<br />

out <strong>the</strong> options. The notation in <strong>the</strong> chart means:<br />

D&: descent is possible to a conjunction <strong>of</strong> propositional instances<br />

D∨: descent is possible to a disjunction <strong>of</strong> instances, though<br />

not to a conjunction <strong>of</strong> propositional instances;<br />

D-: nei<strong>the</strong>r kind <strong>of</strong> descent is possible<br />

A&: ascent is possible from a conjunction <strong>of</strong> propositional<br />

instances, though not from a disjunction <strong>of</strong> propositional<br />

instances<br />

A∨: ascent is possible from a disjunction <strong>of</strong> propositional instances<br />

A-: nei<strong>the</strong>r kind <strong>of</strong> ascent is possible<br />

The definitions <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> modes can <strong>the</strong>n be displayed as:<br />

D& D∨ D- A- A& A∨<br />

Determinate X X<br />

Wide Distribution X X<br />

Merely Confused X X<br />

Narrow Distribution X X<br />

[5] X X<br />

[6] X X<br />

[7] X X<br />

[8] X X<br />

[9] X X<br />

It is debatable whe<strong>the</strong>r any term could have mode [5]. The remaining modes<br />

are possessed by terms coupled with <strong>the</strong> following invented quantifier signs:<br />

[6] Many-or-all donkeys are spotted.<br />

[7] Some-but-not-all donkeys are spotted.<br />

[8] Every-or-no donkey is spotted.<br />

[9] Maria said that some donkey is spotted.<br />

Cases [7] and [8] each have two variants, depending on whe<strong>the</strong>r you decide that<br />

<strong>the</strong> term is affirmative, or negative. (If a denoting phrase is negative, <strong>the</strong>n when<br />

you erase it for descent you need to insert a negation sign.)<br />

I am not aware <strong>of</strong> any writer who discussed modes <strong>of</strong> this sort.<br />

9.6 Modes <strong>of</strong> supposition for non-main terms<br />

Our discussion so far has been confined to main terms <strong>of</strong> categorical propositions.<br />

There are non-main terms that have modes <strong>of</strong> common personal supposition according<br />

to <strong>the</strong> definitions in terms <strong>of</strong> ascent and descent. These are not specified

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