HYPOTHETICAL

PROPOSITIONS
Carina Lauren M. Lumacad, RN
 HYPOTHETICAL
PROPOSITION
Does not declare an unconditional
affirmation or denial

Expresses a relation of dependence such

as an opposition or a likeness between two
clauses.
 Kinds of Hypothetical
Propositions
1. Conditional Proposition
2. Disjunctive Proposition
3. Conjunctive Proposition
 1. CONDITIONAL
PROPOSITION
Expresses a condition or relation of
dependence between two propositions
The expressed relation points out that one
proposition necessarily follows from the
other
 Conditional Proposition
Examples:
1. If animals can think, they are rational.
2. If the barometer falls, there will be a
storm.
*** two parts are joined by if,
unless, when, where, suppose,
in case
 Conditional Proposition
“if-then” propositions
Usual structure: If A is B, then C is D

Example:
If dry weather continues, the harvest will be
poor.
 Two Component Propositions of
a Conditional Proposition
1. Antecedent (Implicans)
2. Consequent (Implicate)
 Antecedent (Implicans)
Introduced by the word if or its
equivalent.
Contains the condition.
 Consequent (Implicate)
Expresses the statement that follows the
acceptance of the condition i.e. the
statement that depends upon the presence
of
the condition
The one that is conditioned.
 Antecedent & Consequent
The antecedent precedes the consequent

Example:
If a man is farsighted, he needs eyeglasses.
(Antecedent) (Consequent)
 Antecedent & Consequent
A conditional proposition enunciates the
dependence of the consequent upon the
antecedent.
 Dependence
The dependence is always logical i.e. we
pass from the antecedent to the
consequent in our thought or speech.
The dependence is real i.e. when the
consequent depends on the antecedent in
reality.
 Dependence
Logical dependence:
“If the ground is wet, it must have rained.”

Real dependence:
“If it have rained, the ground would have
been wet.”
 2. DISJUNCTIVE
PROPOSITION
One whose subject or predicate consists
of parts which exclude each other.
“either-or” statement
Parts of a disjunction are called disjuncts
(alternants)
 Disjunctive Proposition
Examples:
1. A body is either in motion or at rest.
2. Man is the result of either of creation
or of evolution.
3. Either the sun or the earth moves in an
orbit.
 Proper Disjunction
(perfect, complete, strict)
 If and when the parts (disjuncts) are
mutually exclusive.
 Disjuncts can neither be true nor false
together at the same time.
Examples:
1. An individual is either honest or
dishonest.
2. It is either raining or not raining.
 Improper Disjunction
(imperfect, incomplete)
 One whose parts are not mutually
exclusive.
 One disjunct does not necessarily
exclude the other.
Example:
1. Jose is either sitting or writing.
 Broad Disjunction
 If and when at least one disjunct is true,
but the other disjunct may also be true.
Example:
1. Either my sister or I will go.
Strict or Broad Disjunction?
Consider the content and context within which
occurs.
A true, perfect, complete, strict & proper
disjunctive requires:
1. the enumeration of the possibilities must
be complete.
2. there must be an exclusive
opposition between or among the
enumerated possibilities.
 3. CONJUNCTIVE
PROPOSITION
One which denies that two contrary
predicates together can be true of the
same subject at the same time.
Denies the simultaneous possibility of
two alternatives.
 Conjunctive Proposition
Examples:
1. You cannot stand and sit at the same
time.
2. You cannot be in Quiapo and in Makati
at the same time.
 Conjunctive Proposition
The truth of a conjunctive proposition
depends solely upon a true exclusive
opposition existing between their
common parts.

The parts of a conjunctive are called

conjuncts.
 Conjunctive Proposition
Reducible to two connective hypothetical
propositions or a combination of
hypothetical and categorical
propositions.
 Reducing Conjunctive
Proposition
Example:
1.You cannot be in Quiapo and in
Makati at the same time.

1.a. If you are in Quiapo, then you

are not in Makati.
1.b. If you are in Makati, then you are
not in Quiapo.
 References
1. Celestine N. Bittle, The Science of Correct
Thinking. Revised ed. (Milwaukee:The Bruce
Publishing Co., 1950), 119-123.
2. Florentino T. Timbreza, Logic Made Simple
for Filipinos. (Quezon City:Phoenix
Publishing House inc., 1992), 50-53.