But if the disjunctive _A is either B or C_ (_B_ and _C_ not being contraries) implies that both may be true, it will be adequately translated into a hypothetical by the single form, _If A is not B, it is C_.

We cannot translate it into--_If A is B, it is not C_, for, by our supposition, if '_A is B_' is true, it does not follow that '_A is C_' must be false.
Logicians are also divided in opinion as to the function of the hypothetical form.

Some think it expresses doubt; for the consequent depends on the antecedent, and the antecedent, introduced by 'if,' may or may not be realised, as in _If the sky is clear, the night is cold_: whether the sky is, or is not, clear being supposed to be uncertain.

And we have seen that some hypothetical propositions seem designed to draw attention to such uncertainty, as--_If there is a resisting medium in space_, etc.

But other Logicians lay stress upon the connection of the clauses as the important matter: the statement is, they say, that the consequent may be inferred from the antecedent.