A System of Logic: Ratiocinative and Inductive, 7th Edition, Vol. I — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
A System of Logic: Ratiocinative and Inductive, 7th Edition, Vol. I
John Stuart Mill · en
may be reduced as follows. The proposition, No C is B, being an
universal negative, admits of simple conversion, and may be changed into
No B is C, which, as we showed, is the very same assertion in other
words--the same fact differently expressed. This transformation having
been effected, the argument assumes the following form:--
No B is C
All A is B
therefore
No A is C,
which is a good syllogism in the second mood of the first figure. Again,
an argument in the first mood of the third figure must resemble the
following:--
All B is C
All B is A
therefore
Some A is C,
where the minor premise, All B is A, conformably to what was laid down
in the last chapter respecting universal affirmatives, does not admit of
simple conversion, but may be converted _per accidens_, thus, Some A is
B; which, though it does not express the whole of what is asserted in
the proposition All B is A, expresses, as was formerly shown, part of
it, and must therefore be true if the whole is true. We have, then, as
the result of the reduction, the following syllogism in the third mood
of the first figure:--
All B is C
Some A is B,
from which it obviously follows, that
Some A is C.
In the same manner, or in a manner on which after these examples it is
not necessary to enlarge, every mood of the second, third, and fourth
figures may be reduced to some one of the four moods of the first. In
other words, every conclusion which can be proved in any of the last
three figures, may be proved in the first figure from the same premises,
with a slight alteration in the mere manner of expressing them. Every
valid ratiocination, therefore, may be stated in the first figure, that
is, in one of the following forms:--
Every B is C No B is C
All A } is B, All A } is B,
Some A } Some A }
therefore therefore
All A } is C. No A is } C.
Some A } Some A is not }
Or if more significant symbols are preferred:--
To prove an affirmative, the argument must admit of being stated in this
form:--
All animals are mortal;
All men }
Some men } are animals;
Socrates }
therefore
All men }
Some men } are mortal.
Socrates }
To prove a negative, the argument must be capable of being expressed in
this form:--
No one who is capable of self-control is necessarily vicious;
All negroes }
Some negroes } are capable of self-control;
Mr. A's negro }
therefore
No negroes are }
Some negroes are not } necessarily vicious.
Mr. A's negro is not }