Which of the following can be correctly inferred from the EIO mood in the…

Concept

In a categorical syllogism, the figure fixes the position of the middle term M, while the mood fixes the proposition types.

An E proposition distributes both terms, an I proposition distributes neither term, and an O proposition distributes only its predicate.

Application

1. For the given categorical form, the major premise is P-M, the minor premise is M-S, and the conclusion is S-P.

2. The E major premise, No P are M, places M as its predicate and distributes M.

3. The I minor premise, Some M are S, places M as its subject and distributes neither term.

4. The O conclusion, Some S are not P, distributes its predicate P but not its subject S.

Contrast

• The undistributed-middle claim does not apply because M is distributed in the E major premise.

• The both-premises subject-position claim does not apply because M is predicate in the major premise and subject in the minor premise.

• The conclusion-predicate distribution claim applies because the predicate of an O proposition is distributed.

• The major-premise predicate-position claim applies because M is the predicate of the major premise P-M.

• The no-distributed-term conclusion claim does not apply because the O conclusion distributes its predicate.

Therefore, the valid inferences are that the predicate of the conclusion is distributed and M is the predicate in the major premise.