PREDICAMENTS

Predicaments are called ​direct universals​ because they express the nature of the object as it is
found directly and immediately in the real and existing things (Fetizanan and Gajete, 2003: 16).
Aristotle called them “categories,” which is the Greek term for predicaments (Piñon, 1973: 57).
There are two supreme predicaments: substance and accidents. ​But​ In all, there are 10 of them.
The first predicament is that of ​substance​ and the remaining nine are the sub-classifications of
the predicaments called ​accidents​. The 10 predicaments are:

1. Substance. It is that which carries existential actuality and reality by itself and not as
part of something else as subject. It is something existing in itself, needing no other
thing to exist. It answers the question: “Who or what is this thing?”
Examples: ballpen, T-shirt, chair, bag, classmate, teacher.

2. Quantity. It is the modification of substance as regards the effect of having extended

and measurable parts. It also considers spatial extension, numbers and sizes. It answers
the question: “How much or how big or how tall or how heavy?”
Examples: 50 kilos, 500 pesos, three feet and three inches tall.

3. Quality. This refers to the formal modifier of the substance to another. It answers the
question: “What kind of thing is it?”
Examples: A square house, wooden slippers, plastic chair, diamond ring
4. Relation. It is the reference of one substance to another. It answers the question: “To
whom or whom does it refer?”
Examples: He is my father, hydrogen and oxygen makes water, mother-father

5. Action. This refers to the production of an effect from another. It answers the question:
“What does it do?”
Examples: running, studying, writing, surfing the net

6. Passion. This is the reception of an effect from another being. It answers the question:
“What is happening to it?”
Example: The thief was shot, He failed due to non-compliance.

7. Time. This is the situation in time. It answers the question: “When or what point in
time?”
Examples: last January, early in the morning, at 12:00 noon.
 8. Place. It is the position in space. It answers the question: “Where is it?”
Examples: in the air, in my nose, Makati Avenue, here.

9. Posture. It is the disposition of the parts of the substance. It answers the question:
“What is the position?”
Examples: kneeling, squatting, sitting.

10. Habit. It is the determination of substance as to external appearance, outfit, clothing

or ornaments. It answers the question: “How equipped, armed, or dressed?”
Examples: clothed in dark suit, wearing office uniform.

PREDICABLES

Predicables are called l​ ogical universals​ (Fetizanan and Gajete, 2003: 17), because they express a
nature common to many. ​Predicables​ refer to the kinds of relations which may be obtained between a
term and the subject of which it is predicated. They tell how an idea may be used as a predicate to a
subject. There are five ways in which a predicate can be said of a subject. They are:

1. Genus. It is the predicate that expresses a part of the essence of the subject, which the
subject has ​in common​ with other members of this same class or group.
Examples: Man is an animal. Dog is an animal. Cat is an animal.
The idea “animal” is the genus because it is shared by many subjects. Likewise, the idea
“school supply” is the genus of paper, pencil, book, chalk, and other school supplies.

2. Specific difference. It is the predicate that expresses a part of the essence of the thing
that ​differentiates​ it from other species.
Example: Human being is rational.
It is the “rational” feature of human being that distinguishes him from other animals.

3. Species. It is the predicate that expresses the whole essence of its subject or which
defines, identifies, or gives​ ​the complete set of essentialities of the subject.
Example: Human being is a rational animal.
4. Property. It is the predicate that expresses an attribute that belongs to the subject by
natural necessity​, but not as part of the essence of the subject.
Examples:
A chimp is capable of learning simple things.
Human beings are thinkers.
Chocolate candies are sweet.
Eagles can fly.

5. Accident. It is the predicate that expresses something that belongs to the subject, not by
natural necessity “but by chanc​e​” (Alviar, et al., 1998: 14).
Examples:
Mr. Salvador is a teacher.
This student is bright.
The water is cold.
Betsy sings well.