Write a short note on what is meant by ‘distribution of term’ in a categorical proposition ? With respect to the following propositions mention the quality and quantity for each of them; and check whether subject and/or predicate term(s) is distributed in the following propositions, stating the reason for your answer : No dogs are cats.

Distribution of Term in Categorical Propositions:

In a categorical proposition, the distribution of terms refers to whether the proposition makes a claim about every member of the subject class (term) or only about some members. Understanding the distribution of terms is crucial for assessing the logical validity of categorical propositions.

Quality and Quantity of Propositions:

• Quality: The quality of a proposition determines whether it affirms or denies the relationship between the subject and predicate terms. Propositions can be either affirmative or negative.

• Quantity: The quantity of a proposition indicates whether it refers to all members of the subject class or only to some members. Propositions can be universal (referring to all members) or particular (referring to some members).

Analysis of the Proposition "No dogs are cats":

• Quality: The proposition "No dogs are cats" is negative because it denies the existence of a relationship between dogs and cats.

• Quantity: The proposition is universal because it makes a statement about all members of the subject class (dogs).

Distribution of Terms:

In the proposition "No dogs are cats," both the subject term ("dogs") and the predicate term ("cats") are distributed.

• Subject Term ("dogs"): Distributed. In a negative proposition (denying the existence of a relationship), the subject term is always distributed. This is because the proposition implies that none of the members of the subject class have the predicate property. In this case, "dogs" are being completely excluded from the class of "cats."

• Predicate Term ("cats"): Distributed. In a universal proposition (referring to all members), the predicate term is always distributed. This is because the proposition is making a claim about every member of the subject class. In this case, "cats" are being attributed to none of the members of the subject class, hence distributed.

Conclusion:

In summary, the proposition "No dogs are cats" is a negative universal proposition where both the subject term ("dogs") and the predicate term ("cats") are distributed. This distribution is consistent with the logical structure of negative universal propositions, where the subject term is always distributed, and universal propositions, where the predicate term is also distributed.