According to the traditional square of opposition, if the statement “No…
2024
According to the traditional square of opposition, if the statement “No monkeys are feline.” is given as true, then which of the following statements can be inferred to be true?
Answer: D. Some monkeys are not feline — ConceptA universal negative (E) proposition, “No S are P,” excludes every member of S from P. In the traditional square of opposition used in…
- A.
Some monkeys are felines
- B.
Some felines are monkeys
- C.
All felines are monkeys
- D.
Some monkeys are not feline
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Concept
A universal negative (E) proposition, “No S are P,” excludes every member of S from P.
In the traditional square of opposition used in categorical-logic questions, existential import for S allows subalternation from E to the particular negative (O) proposition, “Some S are not P.”
Application
Symbol | Class |
|---|---|
S | Monkeys |
P | Felines |
“No monkeys are felines” states that the intersection of S and P is empty.
Under the exam convention that S has at least one member, take any monkey. Since the intersection is empty, that monkey is outside P; therefore, some monkeys are not felines.
Cross-check and contrast
“Some monkeys are felines” asserts a non-empty overlap between the two classes.
“Some felines are monkeys” asserts the same non-empty overlap after conversion.
“All felines are monkeys” asserts that the entire feline class is contained in the monkey class.
Thus, the inferable statement is: Some monkeys are not felines.