universal negative

American  

noun

Logic.

1. a proposition of the form “No S is P.” E, e

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

universal negative

To attempt the complete even in a fractional bit of the cosmos, like a picture, has in it a difficulty akin to the logical one of proving a universal negative.

From The Soul of the Far East by Lowell, Percival

A single instance to the contrary is enough to break down his universal negative.

From Logic, Inductive and Deductive by Minto, William

The antiquity of the cotton industry has hitherto proved unfathomable, as can readily be understood from the difficulty of proving a universal negative, especially from such scanty material as we possess of remote ages.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 5 "Cosway" to "Coucy" by Various

This universal, negative to begin with, has its seat not elsewhere than in thought.

From The World's Greatest Books — Volume 13 — Religion and Philosophy by Hammerton, John Alexander, Sir

When the Agnostic speaks of the "possibility" of miracles, he only means that we cannot prove a universal negative.

From Flowers of Freethought (First Series) by Foote, G. W. (George William)