Existential import, Aristotelian logic, and its generalizations (Q2307717)

The aim of the paper is to provide a discussion of the role of the existential import in Aristotelian logic and its extensions, namely the square of opposition, conversions and the assertoric syllogistic, as well as for more recent generalizations to intermediate quantifiers like ``most''. The theory of generalized quantifiers is used. By applying tools from modern formal semantics to the investigation of classical Aristotelian logic and its extensions, different approaches to the logic of quantification are combined. It is shown that no way to assign existential import satisfies all postulates of Aristotelian logic. The classical first order logic interpretation, however, is one of the worst options when it comes to capturing Aristotelian reasoning.