Introduction
The syllogism is a fundamental technique of logical reasoning, and logic is the study of reasoning. A syllogism is a type of deductive argument made up of two premises and one conclusion. The validity of the syllogism depends on how logically connected these three elements are and how the premises support the conclusion.
It is crucial to consider the middle term, major term, and minor word, as well as the mood and figure of the syllogism, to establish whether a syllogism is genuine. A syllogism can be an effective tool for formulating and assessing logical arguments in this way. In this situation, we’ll look at a particular syllogism and judge its soundness in light of the laws of logic.
Example of Syllogism
Here is the syllogism: Premise 1: All mammals are warm-blooded creatures; Premise 2: All dogs are mammals; Thus, all dogs are warm-blooded creatures (conclusion). The main term is “warm-blooded animals,” the minor term is “dogs,” and the middle term is “mammals.” Figure 1 shows a syllogism with the mood AAA.
Because it adheres to the four rules of validity, the syllogism is valid: the middle term must be distributed at least once; if a term is distributed in the conclusion, it must also be distributed in the premise; no conclusion can be drawn from two negative premises; and if one premise is negative, the conclusion must also be negative. The syllogism follows each of these guidelines.
As all mammals, including dogs, are warm-blooded creatures, the conclusion is that all dogs are warm-blooded creatures. This argument is simple and transparent; it doesn’t need to be presented more nuancedly or with more evidence. Syllogisms are frequently utilized in philosophical and logical discourse, but they also have real-world uses in disciplines like law, physics, and arithmetic (Jeon, 2018). One can spot weaknesses in thinking and enhance the coherence and clarity of one’s arguments by building and evaluating them using syllogisms. Syllogisms are not always accurate in capturing the complexity of real-world events; it is crucial to keep this in mind.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the syllogism that has been shown is valid and complies with the standards of validity (Jeon, 2018). Its premises—that all mammals are warm-blooded creatures and that all dogs are mammals—logically follow the conclusion that all dogs are warm-blooded creatures (Jeon, 2018). This example highlights the significance of applying logical thinking to develop strong arguments and assess the merits of current arguments.
Syllogisms can also be used to find unstated premises and expose implicit biases in arguments. By dissecting an argument into its components, we can find places where the logic is unclear or the argument rests on unstated premises. This analysis process can help us comprehend the argument more thoroughly and foster the growth of more sophisticated and nuanced thought processes. Syllogisms can also be used to evaluate the truthfulness of assertions made in public discourse, including those made by politicians or the media. We can distinguish fact from fiction and make more reasoned decisions by applying the standards of validity to these statements.
Reference
Jeon, J.-W. (2018). Aristotle’s Syllogism and Boethius’s Syllogism. Journal of the Daedong Philosophical Association, 85, 1–19. Web.