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Syllogism Notes

A syllogism is a deductive argument consisting of three terms and three propositions, formed by two premises and a conclusion. The Figure of the Syllogism refers to the arrangement of the middle term in the premises, with three distinct figures identified. Aristotle's rules, including the Dictum de Omni et Nullo and the concept of Reduction, help determine the validity of syllogisms, with the First Figure being considered the perfect form due to its universal major premise and affirmative minor premise.

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Syllogism Notes

A syllogism is a deductive argument consisting of three terms and three propositions, formed by two premises and a conclusion. The Figure of the Syllogism refers to the arrangement of the middle term in the premises, with three distinct figures identified. Aristotle's rules, including the Dictum de Omni et Nullo and the concept of Reduction, help determine the validity of syllogisms, with the First Figure being considered the perfect form due to its universal major premise and affirmative minor premise.

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Syllogism – Short Notes

What is Syllogism?
A syllogism is a deductive argument involving three terms. It is a form of mediated inference. The
premises consist of two propositions, and together with the conclusion, a syllogism contains three
propositions. Since each term is used twice, the number of distinct terms is three.

What is a Figure (of Syllogism)?


The specific form created in a syllogism based on the position of the middle term in the major and
minor premises is called the Figure of the Syllogism.
First Figure: The middle term is the subject of the major premise and the predicate of the minor
premise.
Second Figure: The middle term is the predicate in both premises.
Third Figure: The middle term is the subject in both premises.

What is the Dictum de Omni et Nullo?


Aristotle formulated a rule to determine the validity of syllogisms, known as the Dictum de Omni et
Nullo. It states that whatever is predicated or denied of a distributed term used universally may also
be predicated or denied of everything contained under that term.

What is Reduction?
Reduction is a method of testing the validity of syllogistic forms using Aristotle’s rule. It is the
transformation of syllogistic forms of defective figures into valid forms. Reduction is of two types:
Direct (Ostensive) and Indirect (Per Impossibile).

What is Aristotle’s Basic Rule (Axiom)?


Aristotle formulated a basic rule for testing syllogisms. It applies directly to the First Figure; hence
the First Figure is regarded as the perfect figure and its forms as perfect syllogistic forms.

Why is the First Figure called the Perfect Figure?


In an argument conforming to Aristotle’s rule, the major premise is universal and the minor premise
is affirmative. These are special rules of the First Figure, making it the perfect figure.

What is a Primary (or Fundamental) Syllogistic Form?


A syllogistic form in which no term is unnecessarily distributed in the premises is called a primary or
fundamental syllogistic form. Out of the 19 valid syllogistic forms, 15 are considered primary forms.

Subalternate (Weakened) Syllogistic Forms


First Figure: Barbari, Celaront
Second Figure: Cesaro, Camestres
Fourth Figure: Camenop

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