In which of the following arguments is the middle term always positively related to the major term only, there being no negative instances of their agreement in absence?
AAll knowable objects are nameable. The pot is a knowable object. Therefore, the pot is nameable. ✓ Correct
BNo non-fiery thing has smoke. This hill has smoke. Therefore, this hill is not non-fiery.
CAll things which have smoke have fire. This hill has smoke. Therefore, this hill has fire.
DWhat is not different from other elements has no smell. The earth has smell. Therefore, the earth is different from other elements.
Correct answer: (A) All knowable objects are nameable. The pot is a knowable object. Therefore, the pot is nameable.
Explanation
The sound argument is that the pot is nameable because it is knowable, since all knowable objects are nameable.
Here nameability belongs to everything knowable, and everything is both knowable and nameable.
The middle is therefore tied to the major only through positive agreement in presence.
There exists no negative case where the major is absent, so agreement in absence cannot even arise.
An inference resting purely on positive concomitance, with no negative instances, is the kevalanvayi type.
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