The Basic Types of Proposition with Interesting Examples
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One way to classify propositions is to brand them as either ‘categorical’, ‘hypothetical’, or ‘modal.’ They are the types of statements commonly used in making and delivering debate speeches.
Pay attention to their differences, for the type of statement that you have to use in expressing something largely depends on the nature of judgment you wish to convey.
1. Categorical propositions are those which categorically assert something about two terms. The statement “Some politicians are corrupt” is an example of a categorical proposition.
2. Hypothetical propositions, on the other hand, convey conditions. Its most common kind takes the form “If P then Q”, as in, “If you had not studied anything, then you would fail.” (Categorical and Hypothetical propositions are discussed in detail in other articles in this site or in OurHappySchool.com. Use their respective search engine to find them)
3. Modal propositions state the manner or degree in which an idea relates to another idea. Using ‘modals’ (words that qualify a statement), this type of proposition may involve the concept of necessity, possibility, or probability, or those modalities relating to knowledge, belief, and obligation. Modalities may be classified as ‘alethic’, ‘temporal’, ‘deontic’, and ‘doxastic’.
3.1. Alethic modalities are modalities of truth. It involves the following:
a. Possible modal: e.g. “The proposed policy might harm the poor in the society.”
b. Necessary modal: e.g. “A political power must have constitutional mandate.”
c. Impossible modal: e.g. “A president cannot be illiterate.”
3.2. Temporal modalities refer to modalities of time. Notice that the meaning of a particular proposition (P) significantly varies with the use of these distinct temporal introductory phrases: “It was the case that P”; “It has always been that P”; “It will be that P”; and “It will always be that P”.
3.3. Deontic modalitiesrefer to duty or obligation. Notice that to say that “It is obligatory that P” is different from saying that “It is permissible that P”.
3.4. Epistemic modalities refer to modalities of knowledge. They take the form “It is known that P.”
3.5. Finally, Doxastic modalities pertain to modalities of belief and take the form “It is believed that P.” Take note that the statement “It is known that P” has a different meaning from the statement “It is believed that P.” … continue reading
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Check This Out: Reasoning and Debate: A Handbook and a Textbook by Jensen DG. Mañebog