Socratic Logic - Reasoning

Syllogisms

The following are the notes I have taken from Peter Kreeft's wonderful Socratic Logic textbook. I highly recommend you buy it. This is a book which deals with classical logic (as opposed to modern symbolic logic.) It is easily the best overall book on logic I have ever read and one of the few I have that are worth making notes from. I even have a small duotang with these notes in it I can carry around and reference on a regular basis.

Syllogisms make up the heart of classical logic, they are the easiest, most rational and most convincing type of argument.

Essential Ingredients in the Structure of a Standard Syllogism

A. Three propositions

Two premises and a conclusion.

B. Three terms

Each term is used twice.

 

S = minor term

P = major term

M = middle term

C. Predicate of Conclusion is Major Term

D. Subject of Conclusion is Minor Term

E. Term in each premise and not the conclusion is the Middle Term

F. Premise with Major Term called the Major Premise

G.  Premise with Minor Term called the Minor Premise

Analyzing Syllogisms

A. Identify the conclusion.

B. Identify the major and minor terms.

C. Identify the major and minor premises.

D. Identify the middle term.