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the terms the supposable and the opinable in preference to the
phrase suggested。
40
Since the expressions 'pleasure is good' and 'pleasure is the
good' are not identical; we must not set out the terms in the same
way; but if the syllogism is to prove that pleasure is the good; the
term must be 'the good'; but if the object is to prove that pleasure
is good; the term will be 'good'。 Similarly in all other cases。
41
It is not the same; either in fact or in speech; that A belongs to
all of that to which B belongs; and that A belongs to all of that to
all of which B belongs: for nothing prevents B from belonging to C;
though not to all C: e。g。 let B stand for beautiful; and C for
white。 If beauty belongs to something white; it is true to say that
beauty belongs to that which is white; but not perhaps to everything
that is white。 If then A belongs to B; but not to everything of
which B is predicated; then whether B belongs to all C or merely
belongs to C; it is not necessary that A should belong; I do not say
to all C; but even to C at all。 But if A belongs to everything of
which B is truly stated; it will follow that A can be said of all of
that of all of which B is said。 If however A is said of that of all of
which B may be said; nothing prevents B belonging to C; and yet A
not belonging to all C or to any C at all。 If then we take three terms
it is clear that the expression 'A is said of all of which B is
said' means this; 'A is said of all the things of which B is said'。
And if B is said of all of a third term; so also is A: but if B is not
said of all of the third term; there is no necessity that A should
be said of all of it。
We must not suppose that something absurd results through setting
out the terms: for we do not use the existence of this particular
thing; but imitate the geometrician who says that 'this line a foot
long' or 'this straight line' or 'this line without breadth' exists
although it does not; but does not use the diagrams in the sense
that he reasons from them。 For in general; if two things are not
related as whole to part and part to whole; the prover does not
prove from them; and so no syllogism a is formed。 We (I mean the
learner) use the process of setting out terms like perception by
sense; not as though it were impossible to demonstrate without these
illustrative terms; as it is to demonstrate without the premisses of
the syllogism。
42
We should not forget that in the same syllogism not all
conclusions are reached through one figure; but one through one
figure; another through another。 Clearly then we must analyse
arguments in accordance with this。 Since not every problem is proved
in every figure; but certain problems in each figure; it is clear from
the conclusion in what figure the premisses should be sought。
43
In reference to those arguments aiming at a definition which have
been directed to prove some part of the definition; we must take as
a term the point to which the argument has been directed; not the
whole definition: for so we shall be less likely to be disturbed by
the length of the term: e。g。 if a man proves that water is a drinkable
liquid; we must take as terms drinkable and water。
44
Further we must not try to reduce hypothetical syllogisms; for
with the given premisses it is not possible to reduce them。 For they
have not been proved by syllogism; but assented to by agreement。 For
instance if a man should suppose that unless there is one faculty of
contraries; there cannot be one science; and should then argue that
not every faculty is of contraries; e。g。 of what is healthy and what
is sickly: for the same thing will then be at the same time healthy
and sickly。 He has shown that there is not one faculty of all
contraries; but he has not proved that there is not a science。 And yet
one must agree。 But the agreement does not come from a syllogism;
but from an hypothesis。 This argument cannot be reduced: but the proof
that there is not a single faculty can。 The latter argument perhaps
was a syllogism: but the former was an hypothesis。
The same holds good of arguments which are brought to a conclusion
per impossibile。 These cannot be analysed either; but the reduction to
what is impossible can be analysed since it is proved by syllogism;
though the rest of the argument cannot; because the conclusion is
reached from an hypothesis。 But these differ from the previous
arguments: for in the former a preliminary agreement must be reached
if one is to accept the conclusion; e。g。 an agreement that if there is
proved to be one faculty of contraries; then contraries fall under the
same science; whereas in the latter; even if no preliminary
agreement has been made; men still accept the reasoning; because the
falsity is patent; e。g。 the falsity of what follows from the
assumption that the diagonal is commensurate; viz。 that then odd
numbers are equal to evens。
Many other arguments are brought to a conclusion by the help of an
hypothesis; these we ought to consider and mark out clearly。 We
shall describe in the sequel their differences; and the various ways
in which hypothetical arguments are formed: but at present this much
must be clear; that it is not possible to resolve such arguments
into the figures。 And we have explained the reason。
45
Whatever problems are proved in more than one figure; if they have
been established in one figure by syllogism; can be reduced to another
figure; e。g。 a negative syllogism in the first figure can be reduced
to the second; and a syllogism in the middle figure to the first;
not all however but some only。 The point will be clear in the
sequel。 If A belongs to no B; and B to all C; then A belongs to no
C。 Thus the first figure; but if the negative statement is
converted; we shall have the middle figure。 For B belongs to no A; and
to all C。 Similarly if the syllogism is not universal but
particular; e。g。 if A belongs to no B; and B to some C。 Convert the
negative statement and you will have the middle figure。
The universal syllogisms in the second figure can be reduced to
the first; but only one of the two particular syllogisms。 Let A belong
to no B and to all C。 Convert the negative statement; and you will
have the first figure。 For B will belong to no A and A to all C。