Abstract

On the one hand, in some philosophical writings, an apparently single proposition is regarded as true according to both primary essential predication and common technical predication. For example, the proposition “a particular is particular” is considered as true on both the primary predication and the common predication. On the other hand, absolute non-existent is on one occasion regarded as true, but on other occasion as false according to the primary predication. This apparent incoherence has caused a tangle in explaining the above-mentioned predications. Some philosophers consider the difference between subject and predicate as the origin of the contrasts in dispute. Examining the objections of this speculation, the present essay presents a new solution based on distinctions between concept and mental being, and between external extention and mental extention, which completely removes the apparent incoherence.