Among Aristotle\u2019s many innovations in logic, the square of opposition illustrates logical opposites\u2013contradictories to be exact; these relationships obtain of all general categorical statements. As introductory logic students often learn, most phrases outside of logic textbooks do not behave so logically and some\u2013at times significant\u2013translation is required. Take for instance the following contrast:<\/p>\n
>Federal assistance to institutions of higher education was about $35 billion last year, so the schools flinch from the price tag on their gay rights principles, which in this case dovetail neatly with their anti-military prejudices. *The schools cite the principle that government cannot condition receipt of a government benefit on the loss of a constitutional right. The government replies that Congress frequently makes the receipt of federal funds conditional on the recipient’s doing certain things to further a legitimate government interest, such as recruiting.*<\/p>\n
The italicized part is the alleged opposition. Before we get to that, I should note that it will come as no surprise to readers of George Will<\/a> that the entire weight of his column falls on the government\u2019s side and that his portrayal of what he takes to be the \u201cacademic\u201d position is an obvious distortion (he doesn\u2019t even bother to cite\u2013let alone quote out of context\u2013one of their arguments). It\u2019s also not surprising that the column is peppered with the usual (and groundless) conservative attack line on the privilege of academia (my students\u2013especially the many veterans of recent foreign entanglements will express surprise at his claims). My colleagues urge me not to bother with such arguments, and my friends tell me I expect too much of people. In deference to them I\u2019ll not bother with these and other logical outrages. <\/p>\n The opposition, however, merits some brief attention. The school\u2019s position rests on the claim that Miltary\u2019s distinctions among types of people in recruiting is unconstitutional (some law students would not be welcome at their table simply in virtue of who they are). The government\u2019s position as presented by Will hardly opposes this. Just because congress can make people do things for federal funds doesn\u2019t mean that it can make people do anything or restrict their constitutional rights. The question\u2013for the schools\u2013is one of civil rights. Violations of civil rights by the government do not constitute a \u201clegitimate\u201d interest\u2013such violations can never be legitimate as they violate the constitution. To insist they do simply begs the question (presumes what you\u2019re trying to show) against the schools.<\/p>\n In the end, the government might have a good argument. But for their sake I hope that this isn\u2019t it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Among Aristotle\u2019s many innovations in logic, the square of opposition illustrates logical opposites\u2013contradictories to be exact; these relationships obtain of all general categorical statements. As introductory logic students often learn, most phrases outside of logic textbooks do not behave so logically and some\u2013at times significant\u2013translation is required. Take for instance the following contrast: >Federal assistance … Continue reading Just Opposition<\/span>