In square of opposition, if the statement - 'No reptiles are warm-blooded animals' is given as false, which of the following could be validly inferred from it?

(A) 'All reptiles are warm-blooded animals' is undetermined.

(B) 'Some reptiles are warm-blooded animals' is true.

(C) 'Some reptiles are not warm-blooded animals' is undetermined.

(D) 'All reptiles are warm-blooded animals' is true.

Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Correct option is A

In the Square of Opposition, the statement "No reptiles are warm-blooded animals" is a universal negative proposition (E-type). If this statement is given as false, it directly impacts other related statements in the square:
1. Contrary Relationship (All reptiles are warm-blooded animals):
· An A-type statement ("All S are P") is contrary to the E-type statement.
· If one is false, the other is undetermined; they cannot both be true, but they can both be false.
· Hence, 'All reptiles are warm-blooded animals' is undetermined.
2. Contradictory Relationship (Some reptiles are warm-blooded animals):
· The contradictory of an E-type statement ("No S are P") is an I-type statement ("Some S are P").
· Since the E-type statement is false, its contradictory must be true.
· Thus, the statement "Some reptiles are warm-blooded animals" is true.
3. Subcontrary Relationship (Some reptiles are not warm-blooded animals):
· The subcontrary of an I-type statement is the O-type statement ("Some S are not P").
· Given that the E-type statement is false, the I-type statement ("Some S are P") becomes true. However, the O-type's truth value remains undetermined, as I and O statements can both be true.
Information Booster:
1. The Square of Opposition illustrates logical relationships between universal and particular propositions.
2. An E-type statement ("No S are P") contradicts an I-type statement ("Some S are P").
3. Contradictories cannot both be true or both be false; one must be true, and the other false.
4. Contraries (A-type vs. E-type) cannot both be true but can both be false.
5. Subcontraries (I-type vs. O-type) cannot both be false but can both be true.
6. Subalternation allows a universal truth to infer a particular truth, but a false universal does not guarantee particular falsity.