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Categorical Syllogism

Categorical syllogism is a form of deductive reasoning consisting of three categorical propositions: two premises and a conclusion. It contains three terms: the major term found in the major premise, the minor term found in the minor premise, and the middle term found in both premises but not the conclusion. There are rules for determining the validity of syllogisms based on whether the premises and conclusions are affirmative or negative and universal or particular. Syllogisms can be diagrammed visually with areas to determine validity.

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49 views18 pages

Categorical Syllogism

Categorical syllogism is a form of deductive reasoning consisting of three categorical propositions: two premises and a conclusion. It contains three terms: the major term found in the major premise, the minor term found in the minor premise, and the middle term found in both premises but not the conclusion. There are rules for determining the validity of syllogisms based on whether the premises and conclusions are affirmative or negative and universal or particular. Syllogisms can be diagrammed visually with areas to determine validity.

Uploaded by

Melanie Cabforo
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Categorical Syllogism

Syllogism
• The external representation/
verbal expression of a
deductive reasoning or
inference
• The highest of all the three
mental operations
Categorical Syllogism
• An argument consisting of
three categorical propositions
–2 premises and a conclusion
–3 categorical terms
THE COMPONENTS
OF A SYLLOGISM
1. The Three Propositions
a. MAJOR PREMISE – first
premise
b. MINOR PREMISE – 2nd Premise
c. CONCLUSION – 3rd statement,
introduced by therefore
2. The Three Terms
a. Major Term (P) – the predicate of the
conclusion, found in the major premise
b. Minor Term (S) – the subject of the
conclusion, appears in the minor
premise
c. Middle Term (M) – found in both
premises but does not appear in the
conclusion
Example:
(P)
All scientists are philosophers.
(M) (S)
Some philosophers are theologians.

Therefore, some theologians are scientists.

*Note: Standard form of Categorical Syllogism


RULES IN REARRANGING
NON-STANDARD SYLLOGISMS
TO THEIR PROPER LOGICAL
FORM
1. Determine the premises and the
conclusion based on the premise
indicators and conclusion
indicators.
• Examples of premise indicators:
“because”, “since”, “in so far as” etc.
• Examples of conclusion indicators:
“therefore”, “consequently” etc.
2. After identifying the
conclusion, determine
which of the other two
propositions is the major
premise and the minor
premise based on the
major and minor terms.
3. Rearrange the propositions
to their proper order.
It is true that deans are
facilitators because deans are
teachers and a teacher is a
facilitator.
A teacher is a facilitator.
Some deans are teachers.
Therefore, some deans are
facilitators.
Rules:
1. There must be only three terms in the syllogism:
the major term, the minor term and the middle
term.
2. If the two premises are affirmative, the
conclusion must be affirmative.
3. If one of the premise is affirmative and the other
negative, the conclusion must be negative.
4. If one premise is particular, the conclusion must
be particular.
Valid Syllogistic Forms

• AAA – EAE – AII – EIO


• EAE – AEE –EIO – AOO
• IAI – AII – OAO – EIO
• AEE – IAI – EIO
Diagramming a Syllogism

Certain rules must be followed to


ensure accuracy of interpretation
Rules
1. The universal premise should be
diagrammed first if the syllogism
contains a particular premise.
2. The letter X should be placed on the
line dissecting an area if the whole
area is so designated in the process. If
part of the area has already been
shaded, the X goes to the un-shaded
part.
3. Only the premises should be
diagrammed. IF THE SYLLOGISM IS
VALID, THE CONCLUSION WILL BE
SELF-EVIDENT.
4. A syllogism committing the fallacy of
four terms should not be
diagrammed.

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