§ 2. Figure is determined by the position of the Middle Term in the
premises; of which position there are four possible variations. The
middle term may be subject of the major premise, and predicate of the
minor, as in the first example above; and this position, being directly
conformable to the requirements of the _Dictum_, is called the First
Figure. Or the middle term may be predicate of both premises, as in the
second of the above examples; and this is called the Second Figure. Or
the middle term may be subject of both premises, as in the third of the
above examples; and this is called the Third Figure. Or, finally, the
middle term may be predicate of the major premise, and subject of the
minor, as in the fourth example given above; and this is the Fourth
Figure.
It may facilitate the recollection of this most important point if we
schematise the figures thus:
I. II. III. IV.
M---P P---M M---P P---M
\ | | /
\ | | /
\ | | /
S---M S---M M---S M---S
The horizontal lines represent the premises, and at the angles formed
with them by the slanting or by the perpendicular lines the middle term
occurs. The schema of Figure IV. resembles Z, the last letter of the
alphabet: this helps one to remember it in contrast with Figure I.,
which is thereby also remembered. Figures II. and III. seem to stand
back to back.
§ 3. The Moods of each Figure are the modifications of it which arise
from different combinations of propositions according to quantity and
quality. In Figure I., for example, four Moods are recognised: A.A.A.,
E.A.E., A.I.I., E.I.O.
A. All M is P;
A. All S is M:
A. ∴ All S is P.
E. No M is P;
A. All S is M:
E. ∴ No S is P.
A. All M is P;
I. Some S is M:
I. ∴ Some S is P.
E. No M is P;
I. Some S is M:
O. ∴ Some S is not P.
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