I. CLASSIFICATION OF SIMPLE PROPOSITIONS

32. First Classification of Propositions: According to Their Matter. -- By matter is meant the terms in their mutual relation, but previous to the effective enunciation which the judgment. formulates.

Some propositions are in necessary matter; others, in contingent matter.

A proposition is said to be in necessary matter when the connection between the two terms absolutely cannot be other than it is; and is revealed to the intelligence by mere analysis of the terms and independently of all experience; as 2 + 2 = 4.

A proposition is said to be in contingent matter when the connection between the two terms is sucn as it is, only upon certain. conditions realized in contingent existences and cannot, therefore, be enunciated without experience; e. g., that water freezes at 0°ree; centigrade.

The judgment in contingent matter with which logic is concerned presents, then, a necessity,^{1} but a contingent necessity, whilst the necessity of the judgment in necessary matter is absolute. Hence judgment in necessary matter must not be confounded with necessary judgment.

The necessary proposition is knowable by itself, "propositio per se nota"; the contingent proposition, on the contrary, is knowable dependently upon something other than the mere terms of the proposition, "propositio per aliud nota."

{1} The particular judgment in contingent matter does not directly belong to the domain of science. Scientia non est de singularibus.