---
tag: FWG3D8760C
kind: concept
name: Special case
aliases: [particularization, specialization-logic]
sources:
  - wikipedia: en:31308010@r1290617294
    locator: Special case
    note: adopted
    mention: wikipedia://en/31308010
    sections: [Summary]
same_as:
  wikidata: Q2890061
  wikipedia: Special case
inventory: [YK9R47B5FY]
---

## Summary

In logic, especially as applied in mathematics, concept $A$ is a **special case** or **specialization** of concept $B$ precisely if every instance of $A$ is also an instance of $B$ but not vice versa, or equivalently, if $B$ is a generalization of $A$. A limiting case is a type of special case which is arrived at by taking some aspect of the concept to the extreme of what is permitted in the general case. If $B$ is true, one can immediately deduce that $A$ is true as well, and if $B$ is false, $A$ can also be immediately deduced to be false. A degenerate case is a special case which is in some way qualitatively different from almost all of the cases allowed.