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Lecture On Categorical Syllogism

This document discusses categorical syllogisms, which are deductive arguments with three categorical propositions containing exactly three terms. It defines the key components of a categorical syllogism including its mood, figure, premises and conclusion. It then outlines the 19 valid moods of categorical syllogisms organized by their figure. Finally, it lists and explains 9 common formal fallacies to avoid in categorical syllogisms, such as equivocation, undistributed middle, illicit terms, negative premises, and existential fallacies.

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288 views3 pages

Lecture On Categorical Syllogism

This document discusses categorical syllogisms, which are deductive arguments with three categorical propositions containing exactly three terms. It defines the key components of a categorical syllogism including its mood, figure, premises and conclusion. It then outlines the 19 valid moods of categorical syllogisms organized by their figure. Finally, it lists and explains 9 common formal fallacies to avoid in categorical syllogisms, such as equivocation, undistributed middle, illicit terms, negative premises, and existential fallacies.

Uploaded by

lorrainebarandon
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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University of Santo Tomas

Introduction to Logic and Critical Thinking


1.
2.
3.
4.

What is a syllogism?
What is a categorical syllogism?
Moods and Figures of the Categorical Syllogism
Formal Fallacies

CATEGORICAL SYLLOGISM
What is a syllogism?
A syllogism is a deductive argument in which a conclusion is inferred from two premises.
What is a categorical syllogism?
It is a deductive argument consisting of three categorical propositions, which contain exactly
three terms, each of which occurs in exactly two of the constituent propositions.
A categorical syllogism is said to be in standard form when its premises and conclusion are all
standard-form categorical propositions and are arranged in a specified standard order.
Example:

No heroes are cowards.


Some soldiers are cowards.
Therefore, some soldiers are not heroes.

The mood of a standard-form syllogism is determined by the forms of the standard-form


categorical propositions it contains.
It is represented by three letters:
the first of which names the form of the syllogisms major premise,
the second that of the minor premise, and
the third that of the conclusion.
Consider the following syllogism:
A
I
I

All great scientists are college graduates.


Some professional athletes are college graduates.
Therefore, some professional athletes are great scientists.

The form of a syllogism may be completely described, however, by stating its mood and figure,
where the figure indicates the position of the middle term in the premises.
First
Figure

MP
SM
SP

Second
Figure

PM
SM
SP

Third
Figure

MP
MS
SP

Fourth
Figure

PM
MS
SP

MOODS and FIGURES of the Categorical Syllogism


Since we have four types of propositions (A, E, I, O) in each figure having three propositions,
there will be 64 possible propositions. Now, there are four figures each having 64 possible
combinations (that is, 4 x 64). This will, therefore, give us a total of 256 possible combinations.
Of this given number, only 19 follow the rules of correct deduction and are thus considered
valid. The rest are invalid. The 19 valid moods are presented in mnemonic verses, so
structured that instructions for reducing the syllogism in question to the First Figure were
included. Each mood has three vowels indicating the three propositions in the syllogism.
First Figure:

Barbara, Celarent, Darii, Ferio

Second Figure:

Cesare, Camestres, Festino, Baroco

Third Figure:

Darapti, Disamis, Datisi, Felapton, Bocardo, Ferison

Fourth Figure:

Bramantip, Cameres, Dimaris, Fesapo, Fresison

FORMAL FALLACIES
Rules and Fallacies
Rule 1: FALLACY OF FOUR-TERMS or FALLACY OF EQUIVOCATION

A valid standard-form categorical syllogism must contain exactly three terms, each of which is
used in the same sense throughout the argument.
Example:

A normal standard ruler has 12 inches.


Prince William is a ruler.
Therefore, Prince William has 12 inches.

Form: AAA-1

Rule 2: FALLACY OF UNDISTRIBUTED MIDDLE

In a valid standard-form categorical syllogism, the middle term must be distributed in at least
one premise. What the rule prohibits is that both middle terms are particular. The middle term
must be distributed at least once.
Example:

All nuns are chaste.


Some chaste people are priests.
Therefore, some priests are nuns.

Form: AII-4

Rule 3: FALLACY OF ILLICIT MAJOR TERM or FALLACY OF ILLICIT MINOR TERM

In a valid standard-form categorical syllogism, if either term is distributed in the conclusion,


then it must be distributed in the premises.
Example:

All dogs are quadrupeds.


All birds are not dogs.
Therefore, all birds are not quadrupeds.

Illicit major term


Form: AEE-1

All roses are not trees.


All roses are flowers.
Therefore, all flowers are not trees.

Illicit minor term


Form: EAE-3

Rule 4: FALLACY OF EXCLUSIVE or FALLACY OF NEGATIVE PREMISES

No standard-form categorical syllogism is valid which has two negative premises. Thus, two
negative premises are not allowed.
Example:

No fish are mammals.


Some dogs are not fish.
Therefore, some dogs are not mammals.

Form: EOO-1

Rule 5: FALLACY OF DRAWING AN AFFIRMATIVE CONCLUSIONFROM A NEGATIVE PREMISE

If either premise of a valid standard-form categorical syllogism is negative, the conclusion must
be negative.
Example:

All crows are birds.


Some wolves are not crows.
Therefore, all wolves are birds.

Form: AOA-1

Rule 6: FALLACY OF DRAWING A NEGATIVE CONCLUSIONFROM TWO AFFIRMATIVE PREMISES

A negative premise requires a negative conclusion, and a negative conclusion requires a


negative premise.
Example:

All philosophers are thinkers.


Form: AAO-4
All thinkers are wise people.
Therefore, some wise people are not philosophers.

Rule 7: FALLACY OF MISPLACED MIDDLE TERM

The middle term should not be found in the conclusion.


Example:

All humans are mortals.


Socrates is a human being.
Therefore, Socrates as a human being is mortal.

Form: AAA-1

Rule 8: FALLACY OF PARTICULAR PREMISES

If both
a.
b.
c.

premises are particular, no conclusion can be inferred.


Both particular premises are affirmative.
Both particular premises are negative.
One premise is particular affirmative and the other is particular negative.

Example:

Some accountants are wise people.


Some wise people are humble.
Therefore, some humble people are accountants.

Form: III-4

Rule 9: EXISTENTIAL FALLACY or FALLACY OF EXISTENCE

No valid standard-form categorical syllogism with a particular conclusion can have two
universal premises.
Example:

All mammals are animals.


No unicorns are mammals.
Therefore, some unicorns are animals.

Form: AEI-1

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