The document defines logical terms and discusses the distribution of terms in propositions. A term is the subject or predicate of a logical proposition. A term is distributed when it refers to all individuals in a class, and undistributed when it refers to only part of the class. The distribution of terms in propositions is important for formal inference. The quality and quantity of a proposition determine whether the subject and predicate terms are distributed or undistributed.

1. -Megha Gupta
A-069

2.  A “term” may be defined as a word, or a
group of words, which stands as the subject
or the predicate of a logical proposition.
 In other words, the ‘subject’ and the
‘predicate’ of a proposition are called “terms.”
→ “Himalaya is the highest mountain.”
→“Subject” “Predicate”

3.  A term is said to be distributed when the
reference is to all the individuals denoted by
the term.
 It is said to be undistributed when the
reference is to a part of the denotation of the
term.

4. →Makes sure that a reference to all members of
a particular class is made.
→ If that is not the case, one may not be able to
draw a further conclusion.
→The importance of distribution lies in its
being a principle of formal inference that no
term may be distributed in the conclusion
unless it was distributed in the premises.

5. →Known as Universal Affirmative.
→All fairies are beautiful.
→Reference is to the entire denotation of the
subject.
 Thus, “A” propositions distribute the ‘subject’
only.
P
S

6. →Known as Universal Negative.
→No thieves are moral.
→Both the classes are completely separate.
 Thus, “E” propositions distribute the ‘both’
the subject and the predicate.
S P

7. →Known as Particular Affirmative.
→Some singers are rich.
→Neither term is taken as a whole.
 Thus, “I” propositions distribute the ‘neither’
the subject ‘nor’ the predicate.
S P

8. →Known as Particular Negative.
→Some shopkeepers are not honest.
→Subject is excluded from the whole of the
predicate.
 Thus, “O” propositions distribute the
‘predicate’ only.
S P

9. * In ‘A’ proposition when the denotation of the
subject and the predicate is same, the predicate is
also distributed.
→ All triangles are plane figures enclosed by three
straight lines.
* The quantity of a proposition determines the
distribution of the subject term, while the quality of
a proposition determines the distribution of the
predicate term.

10. Sr.
No
Proposition Symbol Subject Predicate
1. Universal Affirmative A distributed undistributed
2. Universal Negative E distributed distributed
3. Particular Affirmative I undistributed undistributed
4. Particular Negative O undistributed distributed
{Asebinop}