ILLUSTRATIONS:
(1) Some men are wise.
(2) Some animals are not quadrupeds.
(3) Most elements are metals.
(4) Many children are mischievous.
In the foregoing propositions some, most and many are quantity signs and, therefore, must not be considered as a part of the logical subjects. Considering the logical subjects and predicates in order, the term wise refers to only a part of the men in the world, quadrupeds to only a part of the animals, metals to only a part of the elements and mischievous to only a part of the children.
An affirmative proposition is one which expresses an agreement between subject and predicate.
A negative proposition is one which expresses a disagreement between subject and predicate.
Affirmative propositions conjoin terms, negative propositions disjoin terms. In the first the agreement is affirmed; in the second the agreement is denied.
ILLUSTRATIONS: