9. ILLUSTRATIVE EXERCISES.
(1a) Each of the following propositions is made possible because of the existence of which law of thought?
In answering this question I summarize in my mind the meaning of each law of thought. Viz.:
(1) In complete absolute identity the subject and predicate are the same in form and meaning.
(2) In incomplete absolute identity the subject and predicate are the same in meaning, but not in form.
(3) In relative identity either the whole or a part of the subject is identical with a part of the predicate.
(4) The law of contradiction always denies the identity between subject and predicate.
(5) Excluded middle conditions all alternative expressions.
THE PROPOSITIONS.
(1) “A thief is a thief.” Complete absolute identity.
(2) “Thinking is the process of affirming or denying connections.” Incomplete absolute identity.
(3) “All good men are wise.” Relative identity.
(4) “No triangle has interior angles whose sum is greater than two right angles.” Contradiction.
(5) “A stitch in time saves nine.” Relative identity.
(6) “Judging is the process of conjoining and disjoining notions.” Incomplete absolute identity.
(7) “You are either a voter in this district or you are not a voter in this district.” Excluded middle.
(8) “Some people do not know how to live.” Contradiction.
(9) “All is well that ends well.” Incomplete absolute identity.
(10) “Some men teach school.” Relative identity.
(11) “None of the planets are as large as the sun.” Contradictory.
(12) “All the trees in this grove are maple.” Relative identity.
(1b) Indicate the law which conditions each of the following propositions:
(1) “He who laughs last laughs best.”
(2) “Perfect is perfect.”
(3) “He is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
(4) “Either your memory is poor or you are telling a deliberate falsehood.”
(5) “Some of our greatest teachers thought they were failures.”
(6) “No man of sense would ever try to get something for nothing.”
(7) “Failure is not to try.”
(8) “Success is the right man in the right place doing his best.”
(9) “Every man is insane on some topic.”
(10) “Some pupils are not industrious.”
(11) “You are either a genius or a successful fakir.”
(12) “Honesty is the best policy.”