Syllogism

Syllogism is a concept that comes under the concept of logical reasoning. Syllogism is derived from a ‘greek’ word that means deduction. Let’s discuss syllogisms in detail.

Introduction

Syllogism is a process through which two variables can be changed and it is a technique where the situation can be changed.  The categorical syllogism is a traditional type in which both premises and summation are simple logical declarations that are formed just using 3 simple conditions among them, every term occurring twice (as a subject and a predicate): “All men are alive or dead; no gods are alive or dead; therefore no men are gods.” This argument in these syllogisms is sound since asserting the premises and denying the conclusion would lead to self-contradiction.

Meaning

A syllogism can be referred to as a type of logical reasoning in which the conclusion is reached when we connect two facts or two statements. Here’s an illustration: A fruit is a banana. Fruit is tasty in any form. As a result, bananas are healthy.

Syllogisms could be a useful weapon for reasoning when used correctly, it is all too simple to make poor syllogisms simply lose the centre word that links them. As a result, all Aquarians are fantastic.” The syllogism gets a bad representation since so many are badly constructed. “Mere syllogism” is a term used to describe poor, deceptive, or difficult thinking.

Syllogism questions

  1.   Statements:
  •     Some children are students.
  • All children are accountants.

Conclusions

  • All accountants are students.
  • Some children are accountants.

(a) just I is followed

(b) just II is followed

(c)both of them are followed

(d)none of them are followed

Solution

Statement 1 can be referred to as a type I proposition where none of the subjects is distributed or predicated.

Statement II  is a type A statement in which accountants are the only topic that is being delivered.

Only the accountants are being distributed in conclusion I which is not being distributed on the premises. Therefore, the conclusion cannot be followed. When we come to the second conclusion, it is given that some children are accountants but from the statement I we can say that some children are not students. These children need not be accountants.

  1.   Statements:
  •     All roses are flowers.
  • No jasmine is a rose.

Conclusions

  • No jasmine is a flower
  • Some jasmines are flowers.

(a) just I am followed

(b) just II is followed

(c)both of them are followed

(d)none of them are followed

Solution

(c)

In this case, premise A is an A-type proposition and ‘roses’ is the middle term that will form a subject that is being distributed. When we come to the second premise, it’s an E proposition, and the middle term ‘roses’ which forms a predicate is being distributed. As the middle term is being distributed twice, the conclusion which is given can be considered universal.

  1.   Statements:
  •     All B’s are C’S
  •     All E’s are C’s

Conclusions

  • All E’s are C’s
  • Some E’s are not B’S

(a) just I am followed

(b) just II is followed

(c)both of them are followed

(d)none of them are followed

Solution

(a)

When we look at the condition, after taking conclusion I, it is given that E’s are also C’s, and when we go to conclusion II, we are not in a position to say that some E’s are not B’s because in statement I it is given that E’s are B’s. 

How to solve syllogism questions?

  • One of the best methods is to use Venn diagrams to solve the questions. The Venn diagram approach is considered as a good and exact way or method to address the difficulties of syllogism.

The following are the steps to solve syllogism problems:

Solving Syllogism issues can be difficult if you don’t know how to do it properly. We got 2 different hypotheses in a Syllogism, and we must evaluate which of the logical is correct based on the Assumption Arguments. Look over this page to learn how to quickly solve syllogism questions.

Conclusion

With this, we have discussed what syllogism is and it is a part of logical reasoning. Syllogism helps us to solve both the easy as well as the complicated topics. a syllogism helps to make an argument clear. We know the syllogism questions and how to solve syllogism questions.

Although syllogisms might be dull since they are typically just repeating what most people already know, they are useful for clarifying vocabulary and fundamental assumptions before moving on to your major points.

faq

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the CLAT Examination Preparation.

What are the rules of syllogism?

Ans : Standard-form categorical syllogisms follow these rules...Read full

What are the types of syllogism?

Ans: Conditional Syllogism is a kind of syllogism in w...Read full