Abstract of Logic, Book 2 · Chapter 10
CHAP. X. Now of finding out a Medium, with Propriety to each Figure and Mode.
Ax. 1. THE Medium may be compared with the Parts of the Queſtion, either as Antecedent, Conſequent, or Repugnant.
Ax. 2. The Medium is ſaid to be Antecedent, when in an Affirming Enunciation it is ſubjected; Conſequent when predicated; Repugnant, when either ſubjected or predicated in an Enunciation Denying.
1. §. And hence it will be eaſie to gueſs what kind of Medium each Mood and Figure requires: In Barbara and Darii, the Medium is the Antecedent of the Predicate, and Conſequent of the Subject: In Celarent, Ferio, Ceſare, Feſtino, repugnant of the Predicate, and Conſequent of the Subject: Cameſtres and Baroco, Conſequent of the Predicate, and Repugnant of the Subject: Darapti, Diſamis and Datiſi Antecedent of Both: In Felapton, Bocardo and Feriſon, repugnant of the Predicate, and Antecedent of the Subject. If the Medium be the Conſequent of the Predicate, and Antecedent of the Subject, the Syllogiſm will be indirect in the Firſt, viz. vulgarly the fourth Figure. If repugnant of both a Parallogiſm, and that of two Negatives; if of the Predicate Antecedent, and Conſequent of the Subject: So, by reaſon of the Minor denying in the firſt or third Figure. If laſtly, Conſequent of both, one of the two Affirmatives in the ſecond Figure.
2 §. All which is taught in theſe few Words which are contained in this Diſtich. By Napcas, Nipcis, or Nipis, Repcere Cepres, And Ropcos, Copros, Noſrop, you'll find every Medium. In which Verſicles are to be conſidered, Firſt, the Vowels A, E, I, O, which denote the Quality and Quantity of the Concluſion according to the accuſtomed Valuation. And then the Conſonants N, C, R, S, P. Of which N denotes the Antecedent, C the Conſequent, R the Repugnant, S the Subject, P the Predicare, &c. And therefore if a Univerſal Concluſion Affirming be to be proved, Napcas will ſhew by its Conſonants N, P, C, S. that a Medium is required, which is Amtecedent of the Predicate and Conſequent of the Subject; and if a Particular Affirming: Nipcis, that there is need of a Medium, that is Antecedent of the Predicate alſo, and Conſequent of the Subject: Nipis Antecedent of both. If a Univerſal denying, the Word Repcere ſhews that the Medium ought to be Repugnant of the Predicate and Conſequent of the Subject; and ſo by the Confonants, minding only what it is they ſignifie, it will be eaſie for a Practiſer to whom this is principally ſignificant, to determine of the reſt.
3. For our Example; be this vulgar Probleme, Is Pleaſure good? Seek firſt the Conſequences of the Predicate, viz. to be Choſen, Conducible, &c. then the Antecedents, as, Febicity, Sanity, &c. then the Repugnants, at, to be avoided, turpid, &c. Seek alſo the Conſequences of the Subject, as Peaceable, according to Nature. Then the Antecedents, as Pleaſure of Muſick, &c. Laſtly, the Repugnants, as, what is moleſtous, laborious, &c. Make we now a Univerſal Concluſion after this manner. All Pleaſure is good. This is found only in Napcas, as being the Word which indicates the Medium to he the Antecedent of the Predicate, and Conſequent of the Subject. Take we, for Inſtance the Medium, according to Nature: And the Syllogiſm will be this in Barbara, Whatever is according to Nature, is good; but all Pleaſure is according to Nature: And therefore all Pleaſure is good, &c. If, we were to conclude, Some Pleaſure is good, then according to the Word Nipcis, the Antecedent of both of them were to be taken: As, ſuppoſe Muſical Pleaſure, and then the Syllogiſm would be in Darapti, Diſamis, or Datiſi: As this; All Muſical Pleaſure is good; All Muſical Pleaſure is Pleaſure: Some Pleaſure therefore is good, &c.
But thus much of a Medium, as it has Reference to each Figure and Mode; in another Capacity, we ſhall conſider it hereafter. We come now to the Species's of Syllogiſm, and Firſt ſpeak we of Induction, Enthymeme, and Example.