Taruc, Albert Jericho V.

Legal Technique and Logic

The Principles of Syllogism
In a general sense, a syllogism is a verbal discourse made up of propositions
and terms arranged in such a way that they show sequential relation.
Specifically, a categorical syllogism is one which states the identity or nonidentity of two terms (S and P) on the basis of their identity or non-identity with a
common third term (M). This process of identification or non-identification, or
agreement of disagreement, is governed by four self-evident logical principles:
1. The Principle of Reciprocal Identity. This means that two terms which are
identical with a third term are identical with each other.
Take note that a term stands for a concept which, in turn, signifies nature.
Therefore, if the nature of two things identifies with a third nature, then both
natures are identical.
Example 1
M is P
S is M
Therefore, S is P

M agrees with P
S agrees with M
Therefore, S agrees
with P

Example 2
kl;
A dog is an animal
A hound is a dog
Therefore, a hound is an
animal
2. The Principle of Reciprocal Non-Identity. This means that two terms, one
of which is identical with a third term and the other of which is non-identical
with that third term, are non identical with each other.
This principle also implies that two terms which do not both identify to the
third term, state nothing about their relationship. Therefore, we can neither
affirm or deny their identity to each other.
Example 1
P is M
S is not M
Therefore, S is not P
Example 2

P agrees with M
S does not agree with M
Therefore, S does not agree
with P

Nuclear-powered submarines are not commercial

vessels
All nuclear-powered submarines are warships
Therefore, warships are not commercial vessels
3. The Principle of Dictum de Nullo (The Law of None). What can be
denied universally of a certain term can be denied of every term that comes
within the extension of such term.
Example
Voters

Graduate
Students

Under
eighteen
years of age

Graduate students are voters

No person under eighteen years of age is a voter
Therefore, graduate students are not under eighteen years
of age
4. The Principle of Dictum de Omni (The Law of All). What can be
affirmed universally (dictum de omni) of a certain term, can be affirmed of
every term that comes under the extension of such term.
Examples
P
M

S
Mammal
s
Dogs

Mammal
Dogs
s Terrier

Circle M is inside circle P

But Circle S is inside circle M
Therefore, circle S is inside
circle P
M is a part of P
But S is a part of M
Therefore, S is also a part of P
All terriers are mammals
Terriers are dogs
Therefore, all dogs are
All terriers are mammals
mammals
Terriers are dogs
Therefore, all dogs are
mammals

Terrier
s

Analyzing a Syllogism
To analyze a syllogism, we may proceed as follows:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Look for the conclusion and identify the minor term (S) and the major term (P)
Look for the premise containing the major term. It is the major premise.
Look for the premise containing the minor term. It is the minor premise.
Determine whether the conclusion has a sequential relation with the given
premises.
Major term (P)

A dog is an animal
A hound is a dog
Therefore, a hound is an
animal

Major premise
Minor
premise

Minor term
(S)