LOGIC: OR, Tip Rk,it'T -. USE OF REASON. maybe inferred. from. them ; but universals are not contained ip,partiaulars,nor can be inferred from them, 2. Iu,all univer- sal propositions, the subject is universal : in all particular pro - positions, the subject is particular. 3. In all affirmative propo- sitions, the predicate has no greeter extension than the subject ; for its extension is restrained by the subject, and therefore it is always to be esteemed as a particular idea. It is by mere acci- dent, if it ever be taken universally, and cannot happen but in such universal or singular propositions as are reciprocal. t. The predicate of a negative proposition is always taken univer- sally, for in its whole extension it is denied of the subject. If we say vo store is vegetable, we deny all sorts of vegetation con- cerning stones, The Rules of simple, regular Syllogisms are these : I. " The middle term must not be taken twice particularly, but once at least universally." For if the middle term be taken for two different parts or kindsof the same universal idea, then the subject of the conclusion is compared with one of these parts, and the predicate with another part, and this will never shew whether that subject and predicate agree or disagree : there wig. then be four distinct terms in the syllogism, and the,two parts of the question will not be compared with the same third idea ; as if I say, some men are pious, and some men are robbers, I can never infer that some robbers are pious, for the middle term men being taken twice particularly, it is not the saine men who are spoken of in the major and minor propositions. I1. "The terms in the conclusion must never be taken more universally than they are in the premises." The reason is de- rived from the first axiom, that generals can never be inferred from particulars. III. " A negative conclusion cannot be proved by two affir- mative premises." For when the two terms of the conclusion are united or agree to the middle term, it does not follow by any means that they disagree from one another. 1V. "If one of the premises be negative, the conclusion must be negative." For if the middle term be denied of either part of the conclusion, it may skew that the terms of the conelu- situ] disagree, but it can never shew that they agree. V. " If either of the premises be particular, the conclusion mast be particular. This may be proved fur the most part from the first axiom. These two last eulea are sometimes united in this single sentence, The conclusion alwaysfollows the weaker part of the premises. ;bialy negetitves:and pastieulars.are counted inferior to affirmatives and universals. X Ii ",i?'rtupi. two negative premises nothing can be couclud,
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