MODAL PROPOSITIONS AND THE MULTIPLE

TYPES OF CATEGORICAL PROPOSITIONS

CHU, KRISTINA Y.
OBJECTIVES
 To state the meaning of Modal Proposition

 To give and exemplify the types of Modal Propositions

 To explain each of the multiple types of Categorical

Propositions
INTRODUCTION
 MODALITY OF PROPOSITION
 The degree of certainty with which the
predicate is affirmed or denied of the
subject
MODAL PROPOSITION
 It does not only affirm or deny the predicate of the
subject but also states the manner or mode (modal) in
which the predicate is identified with, or denied of, the
subject
 It does not simply declare that the predicate belongs to
the subject but how the predicate belongs, or does not
belong, to the subject
TYPES OF MODAL PROPOSITIONS
 Necessary Modal Proposition
 One which cannot be otherwise (it must be so)
 It states that the predicate belongs to the subject and
must belong to it
 Expresses a necessity (a relationship between the subject
and predicate)
 Sometimes called APODICTIC or TAUTOLOGOUS or
ANALYTIC

 Example
 A triangle has three sides.
 A circle must be round
TYPES OF MODAL PROPOSITIONS
 Contingent Modal Proposition
 It declares that the predicate actually belongs to the
subject, but not necessarily so
 It expresses a contingent truth i.e., something that is
but need not be; it could be, or it could have been
otherwise or something different
 Relationship between the subject and the predicate is
uncertain

 Example
 These boys need not be lazy
 The bird is flying
TYPES OF MODAL PROPOSITIONS
 Possible Modal Proposition
 Expresses a possibility (possible identity between the
subject and the predicate)
 Expressed relation is one that can be
 The predicate is not actually found in the subject , but
it might be

 Examples:
 This sick man can die at any time
 It is possible that men are living on Mars
TYPES OF MODAL PROPOSITIONS
 Impossible Modal Proposition
 One which cannot be, i.e., it expresses an impossibility
 The predicate is not actually found in the subject and it
can never be found in it
 The expressed mode of relation between the subject
and the predicate is an impossible one

 Examples:
 You cannot fly to the moon
 A circle cannot be square
MULTIPLE CATEGORICAL PROPOSITIONS
 Are propositions that contain two or more sentences
 Contain several assertions, but this may be more or less
obvious
 KINDS OF MULTIPLE CATEGORIAL PROPOSITIONS
 OVERTLY MULTIPLE  COVERTLY MULTIPLE
CATEGORICAL CATEGORICAL
 The composition is obvious  The composition is less
 Primarily composed of two or obvious
more assertions  Appearance of single
proposition, although it is
really multiple
TYPES OF OVERTLY MULTIPLE CATEGORICAL
 1. Copulative Proposition
 One whose several subjects or predicates are joined by
and, neither…nor, both…and, not only…but also
 EXAMPLE: Rizal was shot at the Luneta and Aquino was shot at
the airport.
 2. Adversative Proposition
 One whose several subjects or predicates are joined by
but, even though, even if, although, despite, in spite of,
whereas, nevertheless, still, yet
 EXAMPLE: Max is a brilliant president, but a crook.
 Martin is a good student, despite his handicap.
TYPES OF OVERTLY MULTIPLE CATEGORICAL
 3. Relative proposition
 One which expresses a relationship of time and place
between sentences
 Indicated with expressions as after, during, before
 Example: After taking up a course in logic, you are supposed to
improve your reasoning ability.

 4. Causal Proposition
 One in which two statements are combined in such a way
that one is given as the reason (or cause) for the other.
 Indicated by for, because, in as much as, in so far as,
since, for this reason, due to the fact
 EXAMPLE: In as Much as you are interested in logic, you should
study the logical principles.
TYPES OF OVERTLY MULTIPLE CATEGORICAL
 5. Comparative Proposition
 One which expresses a certain degree of comparison
and/or relationship as being either less or equal or
greater
 Indicated by less than, greater than, equal to, more
than, less than, as much as, as…as, as…so, in proposition
to
 EXAMPLE: As you live, so you die.
 Note: this contains 3 Assertions
 Your life has a certain nature.
 Your death has a certain nature.
 The nature of your death is the same as the nature of your life.
 EXAMPLE: Carmi is as beautiful as Alma.
 Carmi is beautiful.
 Alma is beautiful.
 Carmi’s beauty is of the same degree as that of Alma.
TYPES OF COVERTLY MULTIPLE CATEGORICAL
 1. Exclusive Proposition
 One which expresses exclusiveness as indicated by
alone, only, solely, none but.
 EXAMPLE: Man alone is rational.
 No other being is rational
 Jose is only an engineer.
 He is nothing else.
 These propositions, is simple but really contain 2
Assertions: one affirmative, the other negative.
TYPES OF COVERTLY MULTIPLE CATEGORICAL
 2. Exceptive Proposition
 Expresses exception as indicated by except, save, with
the exception of
 EXAMPLE: All animals, except man are irrational.
 This proposition contains two assertions: one negative,
the other affirmative

 3. Reduplicative Proposition
 Implies the reason or cause for the connection between
the subject and predicate.
 Indicated by as such and as a
 EXAMPLE: Man, as such, is endowed with free will
TYPES OF COVERTLY MULTIPLE CATEGORICAL
 4. Specificative Proposition
 Implies the time element or condition of the connection
between subject and predicate
 Indicate by such expression as a good boy, as a doctor
 EXAMPLE: Juan, as a student in college, participated in
athletics.