Reduction of a Categorical Syllogism

Reduction to the First Figure

Reduction
y The process of expressing in the first figure, syllogisms that

are validly expressed in other figures

y The first figure is considered as the perfect figure y bArbArA, cElArEnt, dArII, fErIO

Process of Reduction
y 1. Each mood begins with one of these four letters:

B, C, D, F
y Moods in figures 2, 3 and 4 beginning with one of these

letters maybe reduced to the mood of the First Figure having the same initial.
y The consonants s, p, m and c are key consonants indicating

the logical operation to be performed in order to obtain a syllogism in one of the four moods of the first figure.

Process of Reduction
y s simple conversion = the proposition symbolized by the vowel

preceding s should be converted simply

y Figure 2 fEstInO

No terrorists are virtuous. Some policemen are virtuous. Some policemen are not terrorists. y Reduction to Figure 1 fErIO No virtuous are terrorists. Some policemen are virtuous. Some policemen are not terrorists. * The vowel E is followed by s signifying that the major premise must undergo simple conversion.

Process of Reduction
y Figure 3 fErIsOn

No rash men are prudent. Some rash men are brave. Some brave men are not prudent. y Reduction to Figure 1 fErIO No rash men are prudent. Some brave men are rash. Some brave men are prudent. * The vowel I is followed by s signifying that the minor premise must undergo simple conversion.

Process of Reduction
y Figure 4 frEsIsOn

No lazy person is creative. Some creative individuals are artists. Some artists are not lazy persons. y Reduction to Figure 1 fErIO No creative person is lazy Some artists are creative individuals. Some artists are not lazy persons. *The vowel E is followed by s signifying that the major premise must undergo simple conversion. * The vowel I is followed by s signifying that the minor premise must undergo simple conversion.

Process of Reduction
y p- per accidens (accidental conversion) = the proposition signified by

the vowel preceding p should be converted in such a manner that from universal it becomes particular and vice versa. y Figure3 dArAptI All Dominican priests are cerebral All Dominican priests are deep thinkers. Some deep thinkers are cerebral y Reduction to Figure 1 dArII All Dominican priests are cerebral. Some deep thinkers are Dominican priests. Some deep thinkers are cerebral. * The vowel A is followed by p signifying that the minor premise must undergo accidental conversion

Process of Reduction
y Figure 4 fEsApO

All brutes are not beings capable of speech. All beings capable of speech are organisms. Some organisms are not brutes. y Reduction to Figure 1 fErIO All beings capable of speech are not brutes. Some organisms are beings capable of speech. Some organisms are not brutes. * The vowel E is followed by s signifying that the major premise must undergo simple conversion. * The vowel A is followed by p signifying that the minor premise must undergo accidental conversion

Process of Reduction
y m- mutation = the original major premise must occupy the place of the

new minor premise; and the original minor premise must occupy the place of the new major premise.
y Figure 4 dImArIs

Some lawyers are liars All liars are immoral Some immoral are lawyers y Reduction to Figure 1 dArII All liars are immoral Some lawyers are liars. Some lawyers are immoral *The consonant m is between the vowels I and A

Process of Reduction
y Figure 2 cAmEstrEs

All political aspirants are rich businessmen No student is a rich businessman No student is a political aspirant y Reduction to Figure 1 cElArEnt No rich businessman is a student. All political aspirants are rich businessmen. No political aspirants are students *A is followed by m, signifying mutation *E is followed by s, signifying simple conversion

Process of Reduction
y c = contradictory of the original conclusion the contradictory of

the original conclusion is to be substituted for the contradictory of the premise preceding c

Figure 3 bOcArdO Some government employees are not punctual All government employees are candidates for promotion Some candidates for promotion are not punctual Reduction to Figure 1 bArbAra All candidates for promotion are punctual All government employees are candidates for promotion All government employees are punctual

Process of Reduction
y Figure 2 bArOcO

All Filipinos are hospitable Some youth delegates are not hospitable Some youth delegates are not Filipinos Reduction to Figure 1 bArbArA All Filipinos are hospitable All youth delegates are Filipinos All youth delegates are hospitable

Exercises
y Supply the missing conclusion of the following premises.

Then identify the figure and the mood. Finally, reduce to perfect mood of Figure 1.
y 1. No mountaineer is an introvert.

But , some introverts are withdrawn. Figure Mood Reduce to MP mp C

y 2. All chance meeting s are mysterious encounters

But, some human relationships are not mysterious encounters. Figure Mood Reduce to MP mp C 3. All adventurers are thrill hunters. But, all thrill hunters are risk-takers. Figure MP mp C Mood Reduce to

y 4. Some trouble-makers are attention-seekers.

But, all trouble-makers are grief-stricken Figure Mood Reduce to MP Mp C 5. All insane people are maladjusted. But, all maladjusted are not deep-thinkers. Figure MP mp C Mood Reduce to