Disjunctive Syllogisms do not actually state that a certain premise (major or minor) is correct, but it does state that one of the premises is correct.
Disjunctive syllogisms follow a “Either A or B is true, if it’s A, B is false” pattern.
This type of syllogism has a “disjunction” as a premise, that is, an “either-or” statement.
Examples of Disjunctive Syllogisms
Following are some examples of disjunctive syllogisms:
Example 1
- Premise 1: This cake is either red velvet or chocolate.
- Premise 2: It’s not chocolate.
- Conclusion : This cake is red velvet.
Example 2
- Premise 1: On the TV show Outlander, Mark’s husband is either dead or alive.
- Premise 2: He’s not alive.
- Conclusion: Mark’s husband is dead.
Example 3
- Premise 1: It is purple or it is blue.
- Premise 2: It is not blue.
- Conclusion: it is purple.
Example 4
- Premise 1: I will choose milk or I will choose juice.
- Premise 2: I will not choose juice.
- Conclusion: I will choose milk.
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