A syllogism (Ancient Greek: συλλογισμός, syllogismos, 'conclusion, inference') is a kind of logical argument that applies deductive reasoning to arrive at a conclusion based on two propositions that are asserted or assumed to be true.
First described by Aristotle in Prior Analytics, syllogisms have been studied throughout history and have become one of the most basic tools of logical reasoning and argumentation. Sometimes the word syllogism is used to refer generally to any argument that uses deductive reasoning.
: a deductive scheme of a formal argument consisting of a major and a minor premise and a conclusion (as in "every virtue is laudable; kindness is a virtue; therefore kindness is laudable") : a subtle, specious, or crafty argument. : deductive reasoning. Did you know?
A syllogism is a kind of reasoning with a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion. For a syllogism to be sound, it must be both valid in structure and true in content. Writers use syllogisms creatively in poems, books, and arguments to present ideas clearly.
At its heart, a syllogism is a logical argument that applies deductive reasoning to arrive at a conclusion based on two or more propositions – statements that are assumed to be true. It’s a three‑part structure: a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion. Think of it as a logical sandwich!
Syllogisms follow a specific structure, often referred to as a categorical syllogism, where both premises and the conclusion are expressed in terms of categorical statements using categories like "All," "Some," or "No."
Don't just memorize the names and definitions here. For each syllogism type, know what logical relationship it exploits, what makes it valid, and how it differs from similar forms. Exam questions will ask you to identify argument forms in natural language, construct valid syllogisms, and explain why certain inference patterns work while others ...
Syllogisms are a valuable tool in logical reasoning, allowing us to derive conclusions from general and specific premises. However, when improperly used, they can lead to a range of logical fallacies.
What is a syllogism? Syllogisms are formal arguments with two premises and a conclusion. Although there are several types of syllogisms, they all express deductive reasoning.