Syllogisms are arguments that take several parts, typically with two statements which are assumed to be true (or premises) that lead to a conclusion. This takes the general form:
Major premise: A general statement.
Minor premise: A specific statement.
Conclusion: based on the two premises.
Minor premise: A specific statement.
Conclusion: based on the two premises.
There are three major types of syllogism:
- Conditional Syllogism: If A is true then B is true (If A then B).
- Categorical Syllogism: If A is in C then B is in C.
- Disjunctive Syllogism: If A is true, then B is false (A or B).
Also of note for syllogisms is:
- Categorical Propositions: Statements about categories.
- Enthymeme: a syllogism with an incomplete argument.
- Modus Ponens: If X is true then Y is true. X is true. Therefore Y is true.
- Modus Tollens: If X is true then Y is true. Y is false. Therefore X is false.
- Set Theory: The basics of overlapping groups.
EXAMPLE OF SYLLOGISMS
1) I am nobody.
Nobody is perfect.
Thefore, I must be perfect.
2) No fish is a mammal. |
Some mammals are aquatic. |
Some (aquatic) animals are not fish. |
3)
All well paid people are educated. |
All teachers are educated. |
All teachers are well paid. 4) |
All students are bright. |
No bright person is a litterer. |
No litterer is a student. |
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