Topic 4 OPPOSITION OF PROPOSITION Students

OPPOSITION OF PROPOSITION
The relationship that exists between and among categorical propositions can be
represented through the square of opposition. This aids in determining the opposite
relationship of different propositions. The square of opposition also known as oppositional
square and square of opposition is a diagram which serves as aid in understanding and
remembering various kinds of opposition and their laws.
The figure above shows a diagram of the relationship of the four kinds of opposition.
Contradictory proposition exists between A and O and E and I. Contrary proposition exists
between A and E. Sub-contrary proposition exists between I and O. Sub-altern opposition
exists between A and I and E and O.
The four corners of the square of opposition are represented by letters A, E, I and O.
A proposition which is known as the universal affirmative has taken the form “All S and P.”
E proposition which is known as the universal negative has taken the form “No S is P.”
I proposition which is known as the particular affirmative has taken the form “Some S are P.”
O proposition which is known as the particular negative has taken the form “Some S and not
P.”
KINDS OF LOGICAL OPPOSITION
1. Contradictory opposition (A-O, E-I) is a relationship between propositions that

differs both in quantity and quality. There is only one rule to be considered in the
contradictory opposition. That is the two propositions cannot be both true or false
and vice versa. Thus, if one is true, the other must be false and if one is false the other
is true.
A E I O
T F T F
F T F T
The table implies that if:

A is true then E is False. I is true then O is False.
A is false then E is True. I is false then O is True.
Example:
If it is true that, “All fruits are nutritious”; then

“All fruits are not nutritious,” is false.
If it is false that, “All fruits are nutritious”; then
“All fruits are not nutritious,” is true.
If it is true that, “Some fruits are nutritious”; then

“Some fruits are not nutritious,” is false.
If it is false that, “Some fruits are nutritious”; then
“Some fruits are not nutritious,” is true.
2. Contrary opposition (A-E) is a relationship that exists between universal
propositions with different quality. The two universal propositions (A-E) cannot be
both true. If one is true, the other must be false. If one is false, the other is uncertain.
A E E A
T F T F
F ? F ?

A is true then E is false. E is true then A is false.
A is false then E is uncertain. E is false then A is uncertain.
Example:
If it is true that, “All balls are spherical”, then

“No ball is spherical”, is false.
If it is false that, “All balls are spherical”, then
“No ball is spherical,” is uncertain.
3. Sub-contrary opposition (I-O) exists between the two particular propositions which
differ in quality. The two particular oppositions (I-O) cannot be both false. If one is
false, the other is true. If one is true, the other is uncertain.
I O O I
F T F T
T ? T ?

I is false then O is true. O is false then I is true.
I is true then O is uncertain. O is true then I is uncertain.
Example:
If it is false that, “Some bills are fake”, then

“Some bills are not fake”, is true.
If it is true that, “Some bills are fake”, then
“Some bills are not fake,” is uncertain.
If it is false that, “Some bills are not fake”; then

“Some bills are fake,” is true.
If it is true that, “Some bills are not fake”; then
“Some bills are fake,” is uncertain.
4. Sub-altern opposition (A-I, E-O) is a relationship that exists between two
propositions that differ in quantity. If universals are true then the particulars are true.
If universal is false then particular is doubtful. If the particular is true then the
universal must be uncertain. If the particular is false, then the universal must also be
false.
A I E O
T T T T
F ? F ?
I A O E
T ? T ?
F F F F

A is true then I is true. E is true then O is true.
A is false then I is uncertain. E is false then O is uncertain.
I is true then A is uncertain. O is true then E is uncertain.

I is false then A is false. O is false then E is false.
Example:
(A-I) If it is true that, “All cars are fast”; then “Some cars are fast,” is true.
If it is false that, “All cars are fast”, then “Some cars are fast,” is uncertain.
(E-O) If it is true that, “No car is fast”, then “Some cars are not fast,” is true.
If it is false that, “No car is fast”, then “Some cars are not fast,” is uncertain.
(I-A) If it is true that, “Some cars are fast”; then “All cars are fast,” is uncertain.
If it is false that, “Some cars are fast”, then “All cars are fast”, is false.
(O-E) If it is true that, “Some cars are not fast”; then “No car is fast,” is uncertain.
If it is false that, “Some cars are not fast”; then “No car is fast,” is false.
SUMMARY OF THE RULES OF OPPOSITION
1. Contradictory Propositions
a. If one is true, the other is false.
b. If one is false, the other is true.
If A is true then O is false. If O is true then A is false.

If E is true then I is false. If I is true then E is false.
If A is false then O is true. If O is false then A is true.
If E is false then I is true. If I is false then E is true.
2. Contrary Propositions
a. If one is true the other is false.
b. If one is false the other is uncertain.
If A is true then E is false.

If A is false then E is uncertain.
If E is true then A is false.
If E is false then A is uncertain.
3. Subcontrary Propositions
a. If one is false the other is true.
b. If one is true the other is uncertain.
If I is false then O is true.

If I is true then O is uncertain.
If O is false then I is true.
If O is true then I is uncertain.
4. Subaltern Propositions
a. If the universal is true, the particular is true.
b. If the universal is false, the particular is doubtful.
c. If the particular is false, the universal is false.
d. If the particular is true, the universal is doubtful.
If A is true then I is true. If I is true then A is uncertain.

If E is true then O is true. If O is true then E is uncertain.
If A is false then I is uncertain. If I is false then A is false.
If E is false then O is uncertain. If O is false then E is false.

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OPPOSITION OF PROPOSITION

KINDS OF LOGICAL OPPOSITION

1. Contradictory opposition (A-O, E-I) is a relationship between propositions that

The table implies that if:

If it is true that, “All fruits are nutritious”; then

If it is true that, “Some fruits are nutritious”; then

The table implies that if:

If it is true that, “All balls are spherical”, then

The table implies that if:

If it is false that, “Some bills are fake”, then

If it is false that, “Some bills are not fake”; then

The table implies that if:

I is true then A is uncertain. O is true then E is uncertain.

If A is true then O is false. If O is true then A is false.

If A is true then E is false.

If I is false then O is true.

If A is true then I is true. If I is true then A is uncertain.

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