A syllogism is a deductive argument cocsisting of two premises and one conclusion. It is called a categorical syllogism if all the propositions are categorical propositions.
- Structure of the Syllogism – The propositions must contain a total of three terms. A synonym introduced into one of the propositions does not add another term into the syllogism.
All philanthropists are wealthy persons.
No wealthy persons are selfish.
Therefore, no philanthropists are selfish.
All businessmen are wealthy persons.
All rich persons are hardworking individuals.
Therefore, all businessmen are hardworking individuals.
Each of the terms must be used in the same sense throughout the syllogism. If a term is used in different senses it would not count as one term and so there will result more than three terms.
The poor need government subsidy.
These students are poor.
Therefore, these students need government subsidy.
The propositions need to be in their standard form; however, analysis is greatly simplified if the propositions are in standard form.
The three terms of the categorical syllogism are the major term, the minor term, and the middle term. The major term is the predicate of the conclusion. The minor term is the subject of the conclusion. And the middle term is that which provides the linkage between the two premises. It is thus found in both premises but never in the conclusion. A premise is designated as major or minor depending on the term it carries.
The categorical syllogism is in a standard logical form when the premises are strictly categorical propositions, the two usages of each term are identical, and the major premise is listed first followed by the minor premise and then the conclusion.
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