HANDOUT: Reasoning and Argument Syllogism Therefore, Paolo is inside

the room.
Reasoning is defined as a process through which the agreement or Two Kinds of Inference
disagreement of idea of two realities or things is inferred from their 1. Immediate Inference relies on one premise. This is truth per se
relation to a new idea. (by itself). The mind operates or reasons out through two
propositions with the aid of another proposition to infer an idea
Syllogism is a form of deductive reasoning consisting of a major premise, a or truth. It draws out conclusion without using another
minor premise, and a conclusion. proposition as medium. Moreover, immediate inference uses
only two terms, the subject term and the predicate term. No new
Two Processes of Reasoning truth is derived from immediate inference since it employs only
1. Induction or Inductive Reasoning. The process of induction two terms.
proceeds from general to universal one. It is regarded as an 2. Mediate Inference relies upon more than one premise. This is
upward reasoning. derived from the previously known truths. Mediate inference
Ricky Maano is a sentient being. uses three terms: the subject term on minor term, the predicate
But Ricky Maano is a man. term or the major term, and the middle term. It draws new idea
Therefore, all men are sentient beings. through comparisons of the truth of the two terms or propositions
with the aid of the medium or the middle term.
2. Deductive Reasoning. The process of deductive proceeds from
the universal fact or truth to a particular or individual one. Validity of Syllogism
All humans are mortal. A. Formal Validity of Syllogism means that the truth of the
But all Bicolanos are humans, conclusions flows from the premises. If the premises are true,
Therefore, all Bicolanos are mortal the conclusion will be likewise true. There must be
interconnected concepts that are logically linked between the
Inference or illation is expressed in an argument syllogism. It is to infer propositions. Whatever is being affirmed or denied in the
(reason out) or to arrive at a judgment or idea from a previously conclusion necessarily flows from the affirmation or denial of
established factual judgment or ideas the term in the premises. In short, there must be consistency
among the proposition.
Inference is a process by which one proposition is arrived at and affirmed on B. Material Validity of Syllogism means that the concept or even
the basis of some other proposition or propositions. – Copi and Cohen its representation – oral or the written word – should be
Inference is a movement of the mind whereby, starting with several correspondingly the same to the object that is being referred to. It
judgments which we relate to one another we arrive at a new judgment does not rely on the links between the premises and the
which necessarily follows from preceding ones. – Sanguineti conclusion. It also rest in real order (the world that we
experience).
Operation Expression Example
Simple Term Everybody, inside, term The syllogism must contain in itself the formal and material validity that it
Apprehension may be valid.
Everybody is inside the
Judgment Proposition room An argument may be valid by having premises, both materially and formally
Everybody is inside the valid. However, it may not have a false conclusion. According to Copi and
Cohen, if an argument is valid and its premises are true, we may be certain
room.
Reasoning Syllogism But Paolo is with that its conclusion is true. Furthermore, if an argument is valid and the
conclusion is false, not all its premises can be true.
everybody.