Note 86 — Chapter II

The case of a proposition which may be regarded as expressing a particular instance of the operation of a law needs to be specially considered. Granting, for instance, that the proposition Every triangle has its angles equal to two right angles is apodeictic, are we to describe the proposition This triangle has its angles equal to two right angles as apodeictic or as assertoric? The right answer seems to be that, as thus barely stated, the proposition may be merely assertoric; for it may do no more than express a fact that has been ascertained by measurement. If, however, the proposition is interpreted as meaning This figure, being a triangle, has its angles equal to two right angles, then it is apodeictic.