Syllogism explained.

SYLLOGISM

Introduction: Unlike the Opposition of Propositions which arrives directly from a given
proposition to a conclusion, Syllogism is a kind of reasoning which arrives at a conclusion from
two or more propositions. That is why Syllogism is called Mediate reasoning because unlike
Opposition of Propositions which is immediate (meaning, direct to a conclusion without a
mediating proposition), Syllogism arrives at a conclusion through a mediating proposition. For
example:

All viruses can kill.

Covid 19 is a virus.
Therefore, Covid 19 can kill.

Take note that there is a mediating proposition which is, “Covid 19 is a deadly disease.”

Now, there are 2 types of Syllogism:

a) Categorical Syllogism – that which applies categorical proposition for both premises and
conclusion.
b) Hypothetical Syllogism – that which applies hypothetical proposition on its major
premise.

Note: Each type of syllogism has its own respective reasoning rules being two distinct systems
of syllogism.

I. Categorical Syllogism

As explained in your book, a Categorical Syllogism has 3 parts:

a) 2 propositions
a. Major premise – the proposition which contains the Major term and Universal
Idea. In the example it is “All viruses can kill.”
b. Minor premise – the proposition which contains the Minor Term and Particular
Idea. In the example it is “Covid 19 is a virus.
b) 3 Terms
a. Major Term – the same predicate of the major premise and the conclusion. In
the example, the major term is “kill”
b. Minor Term – the same subject of the minor premise and the conclusion. In the
example, the minor term is “Covid 19”
c. Middle Term – the same term which is found in the major and minor premises.
In the example the middle term is “virus”
c) Conclusion – the new idea which results from the connection of the major and minor
premises. In the example, the conclusion is, “Therefore, Covid 19 can kill.

Rules of Categorical Syllogism:

Because of the tendency of some people to deceive others through reasoning, the science of
Philosophy has stablished 8 rules to find out if a certain argumentation is VALID or INVALID.
Invalid reasoning is called, “Formal Fallacy.”

So, how do we check the validity of a syllogism?

There are certain steps to follow. Using the symbols M, P, S

M – for Middle Term
P – for Major Term
S – for Minor Term

Step:
1. Find the middle term.
2. Find the major term
3. Find the minor term

So, if

All viruses can kill.

Covid 19 is a virus.
Therefore, Covid 19 can kill.

The middle term is virus; the major term is kill; and the minor term is Covid 19.

4. Transform the syllogism into symbols using the same positions of the terms.

M P

S M

S P

5. Determine the quality of the propositions using the symbols + for affirmative and – for
negative.

M + P

S + M

S + P

6. Determine the quantity of the terms using the symbols u for universal and p for
particular.

Mu + Pp

Sp + Mp

Sp + Pp

7. Determine if a rule of syllogism has been violated and explain why vioilated.

a. Did it violate rule no. 1?

No. Because there are only 3 univocal terms in the sample syllogism. Virus, kill
and Covid 19.

b. Did it violate rule no. 2?

 No. Because the quantities of the major and minor terms in the premises are the
same in the conclusion.

Take note: The predicate is particular if it belongs to an affirmative proposition. It

is universal if it belongs to a negative proposition.

c. Did it violate rule no. 3?

No. Because the middle term is not found in the conclusion.

d. Did it violate rule no. 4?

No. Because the middle term is not used twice particular.

e. Did it violate rule no. 5?

No. Because the conclusion is affirmative considering that both premises are
affirmative

f. Did it violate rule no. 6?

No. Because the premises are not both negative.

g. Did it violate rule no. 7?

No. Rule no. 7 will not apply because none of the premises is negative or
particular.
h. Did it violate rule no. 8?
No. Because the premises are not both particular.

8. What is the Figure of the sample syllogism?

Our sample syllogism has a SUB-PRE figure because the middle term in the major
premise is the SUBject while in the minor premise it is the PREdicate.

9. What is the Mood of the sample syllogism?

Our sample syllogism has an A/I mood since the major premise is an A (Affirmative
Universal) while the minor premise is an I (Affirmative Particular).

Here is an example of an invalid syllogism

Some computer viruses cannot kill.

Some diseases are not viruses.
Therefore, some diseases can kill.

Answer:

Mp – Pu
Sp – Mu
Sp + Pp
Rules violated:

Rule 1, because there are more than 3 terms. Computer viruses, virus, kill and diseases.
Rule 2, because the major term in the major premise is universal while in the conclusion it is
particular.
Rule 6, because both premises are negative.
Rule 8, because both premises are particular.

Figure: SUB-PRE
Mood: O/O

So, did you understand the Syllogism this time? Ok then, answer the first part (A) of Activity No.
7 of your book then submit it on or before June 17, then we do the Hypothetical Syllogism.