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SYLLOGISM

Syllogism is a key concept in logic that involves deductive reasoning to derive a conclusion from two premises. It consists of three statements: a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion, and can be categorized into types such as categorical, hypothetical, and disjunctive syllogisms. Understanding syllogism's structure, rules, and common fallacies is crucial for effective argumentation and logical reasoning.

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21 views3 pages

SYLLOGISM

Syllogism is a key concept in logic that involves deductive reasoning to derive a conclusion from two premises. It consists of three statements: a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion, and can be categorized into types such as categorical, hypothetical, and disjunctive syllogisms. Understanding syllogism's structure, rules, and common fallacies is crucial for effective argumentation and logical reasoning.

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sanjana dixit
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SYLLOGISM

Introduction Syllogism is a fundamental concept in logic, playing a crucial role in reasoning


and argumentation. It is a form of deductive reasoning where a conclusion is drawn from two
given or assumed premises. The study of syllogism helps in understanding logical structures and
evaluating the validity of arguments.

Definition of Syllogism A syllogism is a logical argument that applies deductive reasoning to


arrive at a conclusion based on two propositions that are asserted or assumed to be true. The
structure of a syllogism includes a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion.

Characteristics of Syllogism

1. It consists of three statements: two premises and a conclusion.


2. It follows a logical sequence where the conclusion necessarily follows from the premises.
3. It involves three terms:
o Major term (Predicate of the conclusion)
o Minor term (Subject of the conclusion)
o Middle term (Common term in both premises, but not in the conclusion)

Structure of a Syllogism A standard form syllogism consists of:

1. Major Premise: All men are mortal.


2. Minor Premise: Socrates is a man.
3. Conclusion: Therefore, Socrates is mortal.

Kinds of Syllogism

1. Categorical Syllogism: Deals with statements that categorize things.


o Example:
 All dogs are mammals.
 All mammals are animals.
 Therefore, all dogs are animals.
2. Hypothetical Syllogism: Uses "if-then" statements.
o Example:
 If it rains, the ground will be wet.
 It is raining.
 Therefore, the ground is wet.
3. Disjunctive Syllogism: Uses "either-or" statements.
o Example:
 Either it is day or night.
 It is not day.
 Therefore, it is night.

Rules of Categorical Syllogism


1. A syllogism must have exactly three terms.
2. The middle term must be distributed at least once in the premises.
3. If a term is distributed in the conclusion, it must be distributed in the premises.
4. No conclusion can be drawn from two negative premises.
5. A particular conclusion cannot be drawn from two universal premises alone.

Figures of Syllogism Syllogisms are classified into four figures based on the position of the
middle term:

1. First Figure: Middle term is the subject in the major premise and the predicate in the
minor premise.
2. Second Figure: Middle term is the predicate in both premises.
3. Third Figure: Middle term is the subject in both premises.
4. Fourth Figure: Middle term is the predicate in the major premise and the subject in the
minor premise.

Mood of Syllogism The mood of a syllogism is determined by the type of categorical


propositions it contains:

 A (Universal Affirmative)
 E (Universal Negative)
 I (Particular Affirmative)
 O (Particular Negative)

Example:

 AAA (First Figure): All men are mortal. All Greeks are men. Therefore, all Greeks are
mortal.

Venn Diagram Technique Venn diagrams can be used to test the validity of categorical
syllogisms. By representing the premises using overlapping circles, we can visualize whether the
conclusion logically follows.

Common Fallacies in Syllogism

1. Fallacy of Four Terms: Occurs when more than three terms are used.
2. Fallacy of Undistributed Middle: When the middle term is not distributed in at least one
premise.
3. Fallacy of Exclusive Premises: When both premises are negative.
4. Illicit Major/Minor: When a term is distributed in the conclusion but not in the
premises.

Conclusion Syllogism is an essential tool in logical reasoning and argumentation. Understanding


its structure, types, and rules helps in constructing valid arguments and identifying logical
fallacies. The application of syllogism is widespread in philosophy, law, mathematics, and daily
reasoning, making it a vital subject in the study of logic.
References

1. Bholanath Roy, Textbook of Deductive Logic.


2. I. M. Copi, Introduction to Logic.

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