Dictum de omni et nullo
Dictum de omni et nullo
The leading principles of the syllogisms in Barbara and Celarent, variously formulated, and attributed to Aristotle. “Whatever is affirmed (denied) of an entire class or kind may be affirmed (denied) of any part.” The four moods of the first figure were held to be directly validated by this dictum, and this was given as the motive for the traditional reductions of the last three syllogistic figures to the first. See also Aristotle’s dictum. — A.C.