Universal proposition

A universal proposition is one that affirms a property of all the members of a set. For instance, the proposition that all dogs are mortal and the proposition that all cows can fly are universal propositions, the former (assumedly) true and the latter false. A universal proposition is logically equivalent to the negation of an existential proposition. Thus, claiming that all cows can fly is equivalent to denying that there is a cow that cannot fly.

Related Topics:
Property - Set - Dog - Mortal - Cow - Existential proposition

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It may be noted, along the lines of Humean causal scepticism, that the only universal propositions that must be true are those that are extent a priori, drawn from definitions (i.e. "All dogs are mammals"). Universal propositions that are drawn a posteriori, from one's experience of the world (i.e. "All dogs are born with four legs"), can never be confirmed as true, simply supported to be true (though such propositions are falsifiable).

Related Topics:
Humean - A priori - A posteriori - Falsifiable

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~