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“Syllogism is a form of reasoning in which a conclusion is reached from two provided or assumed propositions,” according to the dictionary. A formal argument’s deductive scheme consists of a main and minor premise, as well as a conclusion. A syllogism is a deductive approach built on a three-part reasonable argument in which two premises are combined to get a result. The inference will be true if the syllogism’s premises are genuine and the syllogism is effectively organized. A syllogism is something like this: “All mammals are creatures. Elephants are all mammals. As a result, elephants are all animals.” The main concept is the more general premise of a syllogism. The minor premise is the more particular concept. The conclusion ties the two premises together logically.
Structure of Syllogism
Syllogisms can be represented using the three-line structure below, where A, B, and C represent the various terms:
- All of A is B.
- Every C is an A.
- As a result, all C is B.
Another method of expressing the same thing is:
When A = B and C = A, C = B.
Take note of how the “A” acts as a “middle” for the other terms. For example, you could phrase the syllogism as C = A = B, so C = B.
Syllogism Examples
Although syllogisms are more common in rhetoric and logical debate than in writing, the following are some of the most noteworthy examples of syllogism used in literature.
Shakespeare’s syllogism in Timon of Athens
Flavius, a character in Shakespeare’s lesser-known work Timon of Athens, asks Timon whether he has forgotten him in this passage.
Timon responds with a logical fallacy.
Flavius: Sir, have you forgotten about me?
Timon: Why do you inquire? I have forgotten all men; thus, if you grant a man, I have forgotten thee.
Timon’s syllogism has the following structure:
Timon has forgotten that all men are men.
Flavius is an adult male.
As a result, Timon has forgotten about Flavius.
John Donne’s “Elegy II” has a Syllogism
A syllogism appears in the following poem by John Donne, albeit Donne takes some liberties with language in constructing it:
All love is awe; if we must call her magnificent, why not gorgeous as well?
All love is a wonder, as these phrases could be converted into a syllogism framework.
She makes you ponder (or she is “wonderful”).
As a result, she inspires affection (or she is “lovely”).
Types of Syllogism
More than two dozen different syllogism versions have been discovered over the years. The majority of them are quite technical and difficult to understand. However, understanding the most prevalent sorts of syllogisms is important.
Universal Syllogisms
Universal syllogisms are so-called because they use words like “no” and “none” or “all” and “only” that apply absolutely and completely. Universal syllogisms can be divided into two types:
- “Every A is B, and every C is A, so every C is B.” (Syllogisms of this type are the most common.)
- “No A is B, and every C is A, hence no C is B.”
Particular Syllogisms
Instead of “all” or “none,” many syllogisms utilize words like “some” or “most.” There are two primary categories of this category:
- “Because all A are B and some C is A, some C are B.”
- “Because no A is B and some C is A, some C is not B.”
Enthymemes
Enthymemes are reasonable arguments in which one or more assumptions are suggested rather than stated clearly. In other words, an enthymeme is a type of truncated syllogism in which the author assumes the audience will accept the suggested and unstated assumption. An enthymeme is, for example, the following statement:
“Because he is human, Socrates is mortal.”
This enthymeme is a contraction of a well-known syllogism:
- Humans are all mortal.
- Socrates is a person.
- As a result, Socrates is mortal.
The main premise is left out of the enthymeme. Instead of stating explicitly that “all people are mortal,” it presumes that all readers will understand and agree that “Socrates is mortal because he is human.”
Fallacies of Syllogism
A logical error is called a “fallacy.” Syllogisms may seem to be straightforward assertions, but you’d be shocked how many individuals make logical errors when attempting to put them together.
For example, a statement like “Some A are B, and some C is A, ergo some C are B” may appear logical, as in:
Teachers can be quite wonderful people.
Some redheads are quite attractive.
As a result, some teachers’ hair is red.
Although each of these categorical propositions is true in and of itself, the last proposition is not the logical conclusion of the two preceding premises.
In other words, combining the first two assertions does not establish that the conclusion is correct. Even though each statement is true on its own, the “syllogism” above is a logical fallacy. Here’s an instance of a flawed syllogism with a more obvious logical mistake. Some trees are quite tall. Buildings are among the tallest objects. As a result, some trees are structures. The “fallacy of the undistributed middle” occurs in both of the preceding examples because the A is not “distributed” among the B and C terms in such a way that the B and C terms truly overlap. There are other forms of syllogistic fallacies, but this is by far the most common logical mistake people make with syllogisms.
Why do Authors Employ Syllogisms?
In persuasive writing and rhetoric, syllogisms are used because they are a valuable technique for making an argument more convincing. Writers may opt to utilize syllogism in particular because:
Whether it’s being used to explain a simple or complex topic, a syllogism can assist make a logical argument appear unquestionable.
Although syllogisms might be dull because they are typically just repeating what most people already know, they are useful for clarifying vocabulary and basic assumptions before moving on to your main points.
Since employing the language and form of logical argumentation may be very convincing even if the logic itself isn’t good, a faulty or poorly written syllogism can assist make an ill-conceived argument look airtight.
Conclusion
The word “syllogism” comes from a Greek word coined as “syllogismos,” which simply translates as “conclusion, inference.” Syllogisms are logical arguments that employ logic and reasoning to conclude. Aristotle is known for making the most significant contribution to the field of syllogisms.
