What can be correctly inferred about the mood OAO in the second figure? A. The…

Concept

In a categorical proposition, A distributes its subject, E distributes both terms, I distributes neither term, and O distributes only its predicate.

The figure fixes the position of the middle term. In figure II, the middle term is the predicate in both premises.

Application

1. Write the O major premise as: Some P are not M. Because an O proposition distributes its predicate, M is distributed here.

2. Write the A minor premise as: All S are M. The middle term M is the predicate here and is not distributed by an A proposition.

3. Write the O conclusion as: Some S are not P. Its predicate P is distributed.

4. The conclusion distributes P although the major premise does not; this is illicit major, not illicit minor.

Contrast

• B and C only includes the illicit-minor claim; the distribution comparison instead identifies illicit major.

• A and D only treats M as distributed in the A minor premise, although the predicate of an A proposition is undistributed.

• B and D only combines the illicit-minor claim with minor-premise distribution; neither follows from the distribution pattern.

• A, C and E only matches the distribution of M in the O major premise, the predicate position of M in the A minor premise, and the distribution of P in the O conclusion.

Cross-check

The supported statements are A, C and E, while B and D are not supported. Therefore, the required set is A, C and E only.