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1. Meaning
A categorical syllogism is composed of three terms. These terms are the elements of
categorical syllogism. The three terms have given names depending on their function in the
syllogism.
Major term – it is a term found in the major premise and serves as the predicate of the
conclusion
Minor term – it is a term found in minor premise and serves as the subject of the conclusion
Middle term – it is a term found in both premises which serves as the common or middle
term in both terms: major term and minor term
It refers to the structure and arrangement of the propositions in the syllogism. A standard
form categorical syllogism is arranged in this order:
1
Conclusion indicators: therefore, so, ergo (Latin), thus, hence, consequently, it shows that, it
follows that
Premise indicators: since, because, for, as, inasmuch, but, however, follows from, as shown by,
as indicated by
2. Determine the conclusion or the premises of the given syllogism by identifying the indicators
used in the propositions.
a. If the premises (major and minor) are given by having their indicators, it follows that the
remaining is the conclusion.
b. If the conclusion is the one given by having its indicator, the others are the premises.
3. Determine which are the major premise and the minor premise.
a. If one of the premises contains the predicate of the conclusion, it is the major premise.
b. If one of the premises contains the subject of the conclusion, it is the minor premise.
1. Major premise
2. Minor premise
3. Conclusion
5. If the propositions are not in the logical form or standard form, reduce or translate each of them
into standard form.
Example: Some students have aspirations in life; thus, some dreamers have aspirations in
life; all students are dreamers.
Standard form:
Major premise: Some students are people who have aspirations in life;
Minor premise: All students are dreamers.
Conclusion: Thus, some dreamers are people who have aspirations in life.
2
HYPOTHETICAL SYLLOGISM
1. Meaning
A product of reasoning where one of the conditions or alternatives in the major premise
(expressed in the hypothetical proposition) is affirmed or denied in the conclusion (expressed
in the categorical proposition) of which is affirmed or denied in the minor premise (expressed
in the categorical proposition).
Composed of major premise, minor premise and conclusion
1. If you affirm the antecedent in the minor, affirm the consequent in the conclusion.
2. If you deny the consequent in the minor, deny the antecedent in the conclusion.
3. If you affirm the consequent in the minor, nothing follows.
4. If you deny the antecedent in the minor, nothing follows.
Examples:
Consists of a disjunctive proposition in the major premise and categorical propositions in the
minor premise and the conclusion.
Examples:
Examples:
Consists of a conjunctive proposition in the major premise and categorical propositions in the
minor premise and the conclusion.
Examples: