Chapter 1.

6, Problem 7E

Problem

What rules of inference are used in this famous argument? “All men are mortal. Socrates is a
man. Therefore, Socrates is mortal.”

Step-by-step solution

Step 1 of 2

The objective is to write the rules of inference used in the following argument:

“All men are mortal. Socrates is a man. Therefore, Socrates is mortal”.

Let denote “ is a man,” and let denote “ is mortal.”

Express the premises above the line and the conclusion below the line in predicate logic
argument:

Step 2 of 2
Steps to find the conclusion statement from the premises as follows:

Step Reason

1. Premise

2. Universal instantiation from 1.

3. Premise

4. Modus Ponens from 2 and 3

Thus, universal Modus ponens combines with Universal instantiation and modus ponens into
rule.