CATEGORICAL, HYPOTHETICAL AND SPECIAL TYPES OF SYLLOGISMS

» Syllogism is a type of logical argument using deductive reasoning.

» A syllogism is a kind of logical argument that applies deductive reasoning to arrive at a
conclusion based on two propositions that are asserted or assumed to be true.
» Syllogism derives from the Greek word syllogismos, meaning conclusion or inference. A
simple syllogism definition is that it's a form of deductive reasoning where you arrive at a
specific conclusion by examining premises or ideas.

For example:
All roses are flowers.
This is a rose.
I'm holding a flower.

Many syllogisms contain three components.

 Major premise - All roses are flowers.

 Minor premise - This is a rose.
 Conclusion - I'm holding a flower.

TYPES OF SYLLOGISMS

The type of syllogism that contains three components is a categorical syllogism. However, there
are two other major kinds of syllogism. Take a look at each one with examples. Then you can
go on to explore enthymemes and syllogistic fallacy.

Categorical Syllogism Examples

As we know, our first example about roses was a categorical syllogism. Categorical syllogisms
follow an, "If A is part of C, then B is part of C" logic. Let's look at some examples of categorical
syllogisms.
 All cars have wheels. I drive a car. Therefore, my car has wheels.
- A: Major premise: All cars have wheels.
- B: Minor premise: I drive a car.
- C: Conclusion: My car has wheels.
 All insects frighten me. That is an insect. Therefore, I am frightened.
- A: Major Premise: All insects frighten me.
- B: Minor Premise: That is an insect.
- C: Conclusion: I am frightened.

Conditional Syllogism Examples

Conditional syllogisms follow an, "If A is true, then B is true" pattern of logic. They're often
referred to as hypothetical syllogisms because the arguments aren't always valid. Sometimes
they're merely an accepted truth like these examples.
 If Katie is smart, then she will get into a good college.
- A: Major premise: Katie is smart.
- B: Minor premise: Because she is smart, Katie will get good grades.
- Conclusion: If Katie is smart, then she will get into a good college.
 If Richard likes Germany, then he must drive an Audi.
- A: Major premise: Richard likes Germany.
- B: Minor premise: Richard likes all German things.
- C: Conclusion: If Richard likes Germany, then he must drive an Audi.

A hypothetical statement is an “if-then” statement. Hypothetical statements have two

components:
» The “if” portion is referred to as the antecedent. It is the precipitating factor.
» The “then” portion is called the consequent. It is the resulting condition.

A pure hypothetical syllogism has two hypothetical premises. Here’s an example:

Premise 1: If it rains on Sunday, then the concert will be canceled.
Premise 2: If the concert is canceled, then the band will go to the movies.
Conclusion: Thus, if it rains on Sunday, the band will go to the movies.

Disjunctive Syllogism Examples

Disjunctive syllogisms follow an, "Either A or B is true, if A is false, then B is true" premise. They
don't state if a major or minor premise is correct. But it's understood that one of them is correct.
- This type of syllogism has a “disjunction” as a premise, that is, an “either-or” statement
 This cake is either red velvet or chocolate. Since it's not chocolate cake, it must be red
velvet.
- Either Statement: This cake is either red velvet or chocolate.
- False Premise: It's not chocolate.
- Conclusion: Therefore, this cake is red velvet.
 On the TV show Outlander, Claire's husband is either dead or alive. Since he's not alive,
he must be dead.
- Either Statement: Claire's husband is either dead or alive.
- False Premise: He's not alive.
- Conclusion: Therefore, Claire's husband is dead.

Enthymemes Examples
An enthymeme is not one of the major types of syllogism but is what's known as a rhetorical
syllogism. These are often used in persuasive speeches and arguments. Generally, the speaker
will omit a major or minor premise, assuming it's already accepted by the audience.
  Obama wants to create government-run healthcare. Obama is a socialist.
- Major premise: Obama wants to create government-run healthcare.
- Implied Minor premise: Socialists have government-run healthcare.
- Conclusion: Therefore, Obama is a socialist.
 Cake increases sugar. Diabetics shouldn't eat it.
- Major premise: Cake increases sugar.
- Implied Minor premise: Diabetics shouldn't have sugar.
- Conclusion: Therefore, diabetics shouldn't eat cake.

In an enthymeme, one premise remains implied. However, since one of the premises is
common knowledge, this helps people to understand them.

Modus Ponens
This argument form has one premise that is a hypothetical (if-then) statement, and another
premise that affirms the antecedent of the hypothetical premise. The conclusion then claims the
truth of the consequent. In symbolic form, modus ponens looks like this:

if A then C
A
therefore C

Here’s an example:
- Premise 1: If we get up before sunrise, then we have time for a run.
- Premise 2: We get up before sunrise.
- Conclusion: So, we have time for a run.

Modus Tollens
This argument form also has one premise that is a hypothetical (if-then) statement, and the
other premise denies (indicates untruth of) the consequent of the hypothetical premise. The
conclusion then claims that the antecedent is not the case (that is, denies it.) In symbolic form,
modus tollens looks like this:

if A then C
not C
therefore not A

Here’s an example:
- Premise 1: If we win today’s game, then we qualify for the final match.
- Premise 2: We did not qualify for the final match.
- Conclusion: We did not win today’s game.