THE SQUARE OF OPPOSITION

A stands for universal & positive proposition

E = universal & negative proposition
I = particular & positive proposition
O = particular and negative proposition

(e.g. All men are white) (e.g. No man is white)

A E

I O

(e.g. Some men are white,

i.e. at least one man is white) (e.g. Not all men are white)

Contradiction is expressed by the opposition A ↔ O and E ↔ I.

If A is true, then O is necessarily false; and if A is false, then O is necessarily

true. Furthermore, if O is true, then A is necessary false, etc.

Contrariety, in the strict sense, is expressed by the opposition A ↔ E.

If A is true, then E must be false; and if E is true, then A must be false. But
if A is false, E may be either true or false; and if E is false, A may be either
true or false (in other words: A and E may be both false, while they may not
be both true)

Subcontrariety is expressed by the opposition I ↔ O.

I and O may be both true, but they may not be both false at the same time.

Subalternation is expressed by the oppositions A → I (where I is subaltern to

A) and E → O (where O is subaltern to E).

If A is true, then I must also be true; if E is true, then O must be true. But if
A is false, I may be either true or false; if E is false, O may be either true or
false. If I is true, on the other hand, A may be either true or false; and if O is
true, E may be either true or false. But if I is false, then A must be false too;
and if O is false, then E must be false.