PHI 002: Introduction to Philosophy & Logic

Student Activity Sheet

Lesson # 14

Name: ______________________________________ Class #: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule:________________ Date:__________

Lesson title: Categorical Syllogism: Nature and Materials:

 Activity Sheet, TV, Computer, Cellphone,
Elements
Whiteboard Marker, etc.
Reference/s:
Lesson Objectives:  Ardales, Venancio B. Logic Made Easy. Iloilo
City: Concerns INC, 1998.
1. Identify the parts of a categorical syllogism and specify its  Gualdo, Rosendo S.Logic: the Basic of Correct
terms Reasoning. Valenzuela City: MJP Inc. 2000.
2. Understand the elements (terms & premises) of categorical
syllogism

Productivity Tip:
A syllogism is the core of deductive reasoning. It is the central piece of traditional logic and still the most
visible type of argument nowadays. The structure of a classical syllogism is simple and comprehensible.
It contains categories and statements. This lesson discusses the basic nature, elements, and structure of
categorical syllogism. Let’s begin!

A. LESSON PREVIEW/REVIEW

1) Introduction (2 mins)
FORMAT OF CATEGORICAL SYLLOGISM

Major Premise: All Filipinos are hospitable.

M S
Minor Premise: Some hospitable people are Americans.
S P
Conclusion: Some Americans are Filipinos.

2) Activity 1: What I Know Chart, part 1 (3 mins)

Direction: Using the FORMAT OF CATEGORICAL SYLLOGISM above, answer the following questions below.
Write your answers on the “What I Know” column.

What I Know Questions: What I Learned (Activity 4)

What is the term (word) which can be
found as subject of the Major Premise
and predicate of the Conclusion?
What is the term (word) which can be
found as subject of the Minor Premise
and predicate of the Major Premise?
What is the term (word) which can be
found as subject of the Conclusion and
predicate of the Minor Premise?

B. MAIN LESSON
1) Activity 2: Content Notes (13 mins)

Syllogism is a classical form of deductive argument consisting of two premises and one conclusion.

Categorical Syllogism – when all three of its propositions are categorical, that is, propositions
expressing unconditional judgement.

Terms of the Categorical Syllogism

This document is the property of PHINMA EDUCATION 1

 Major Term (P) - is the predicate of the conclusion and found in the major premise.
Minor Term (S)- is the subject of the conclusion and found in the minor premise.
Middle Term (M)- not found in the conclusion but present in the major and minor premises.

Propositions in Categorical Syllogism:

Major Premise – premise that contains the major term

Minor Premise – Premise that contains the minor term.
Conclusion - Third proposition whose meaning and truth are implied in the premises.

2) Activity 3.1: Skill-building Activities (with answer key) (18 mins + 2 mins checking)
Directions: Identify the major, minor and middle terms of the given syllogisms.

1. All members of the debating club are eloquent speakers.

Some women are eloquent speakers.
Therefore, some women are members of the debating club.

2. All those who have faith are virtuous.

Some moral people do not have faith.
Therefore, some moral people are virtuous.

3. All churches are places of worship.

Some places of worship are the private rooms.
Therefore, some private rooms are churches

Major Term Minor Term Middle Term

1.

2.

3.

Activity 3.2: Skill-building Activities (with answer key) (18 mins + 2 mins checking)
Directions: Supply the missing terms in each of the propositions to complete the structure of the syllogism.

Ex. No Filipino is an American.

Americans are persons who permit divorce.
Therefore, some persons who permit divorce are not Filipinos.

1. Some _____________ are popular candidates.

All senatoriables are financially stable persons.
Therefore, some financially stable persons are _______________.

2. All highest paid professionals are rich people.

All show business personalities are _________________.
Therefore, all ______________________ are rich people.

3. Some _____________ are not registered voters.

All registered voters are persons with age 18 and above.
Therefore, some ________________________ and above are not citizens.
4. All ___________________ are quality and fast computers.
__________________ has a quality and fast computer.

This document is the property of PHINMA EDUCATION 2

 Therefore, Jonny has an APPLE computer.

Activity 4: What I Know Chart, part 2 (2 mins)

Direction: Using the CONCEPT NOTES above, answer the following questions below. Write your answers on the
“What I Learned?” column.

What I Know Questions: What I Learned (Activity 4)

What is the name of the term in the categorical
syllogism which can be found in the Major
Premise and always the predicate of the
Conclusion?
What is the name of the term in the categorical
syllogism which can be found in the Minor
Premise and in the Major Premise?
What is the name of the term in the categorical
syllogism which can be found as always the
subject of the Conclusion and found in the Minor
Premise?

Activity 5: Check for Understanding (5 mins)

Direction: True or False?

____________ 1. The middle term is present in the minor premise.

____________ 2. The major term is present in the major premise.
____________ 3. The minor term is the predicate of the conclusion.
____________ 4. The major term is the subject of the conclusion.
____________ 5. The major term is always the predicate of the conclusion.
____________ 6. The middle term never appears in the premises.

C. LESSON WRAP-UP

ANSWER KEYS
ACTIVITY 1
What I Know Questions: What I Learned
(Activity 4)

This document is the property of PHINMA EDUCATION 3

 What is the term (word) which can be found as subject of
the Major Premise and predicate of the Conclusion?
Filipinos
What is the term (word) which can be found as subject of
the Minor Premise and predicate of the Major Premise?
Hospitable

What is the term (word) which can be found as subject of

the Conclusion and predicate of the Minor Premise?
Americans

Activity 3.1: Skill-building Activities

Major Term Minor Term Middle Term

1. members of debating club Women Eloquent speaker

2. Virtous Moral people faith
3. Churches Private rooms Places of worship
Activity 3.2: Skill-building Activities (with answer key)

1. Some financially stable persons are popular candidates.

All senatoriables are financially stable persons.
Therefore, some financially stable persons are popular candidates.
2. All highest paid professionals are rich people.
All show business personalities are highest paid professionals.
Therefore, all show business personalities are rich people.

3. Some not citizens are not registered voters.

All registered voters are persons with age 18 and above.
Therefore, some persons with age 18 and above are not citizens.
4. All APPLE computer are quality and fast computers.
Jonny has a quality and fast computer.
Therefore, Jonny has an APPLE computer.
ACTIVITY 4

What I Know Questions: What I Learned

(Activity 4)
What is the name of the term in the categorical
syllogism which can be found in the Major Premise
and always the predicate of the Conclusion?
Major Term

What is the name of the term in the categorical

syllogism which can be found in the Minor Premise
and in the Major Premise?
Middle Term

What is the name of the term in the categorical

syllogism which can be found as always the subject
of the Conclusion and found in the Minor Premise?
Minor Term

This document is the property of PHINMA EDUCATION 4