Syllogism is a form of logical thinking that joins two or more structures to the conclusion. For example: “All birds lay eggs. A swan is a bird. Therefore, a swan lays eggs.”
Syllogisms contain a large base and a small basis for conclusion, that is, a general statement and a more detailed statement. In the example above, the major premise is that all birds lay eggs. The minor premise is that a swan is a bird. The conclusion links these two propositions to conclude that if a swan is a bird it must lay eggs.
In other words, Syllogism is a form of diminishing thinking when you come to a certain conclusion by exploring other structures or two ideas.
Some syllogisms contain three components:
- Major Premise
- Minor Premise
- Conclusion
For example, all roses are flowers (major premise). This is a rose (minor premise). Therefore, I am holding a flower (conclusion).
3 Types of Syllogism
There are three types of syllogism which we are going to explain in details with the help of examples:
- Categorical syllogisms follows “If A is part of C, then B is part of C” logic.
- Conditional syllogisms follow an “If A is true, then B is true” pattern of logic.
- Disjunctive syllogisms follow a “Either A or B is true, if it’s A, B is false” premise. They don’t state if a major or minor premise is correct. But it’s understood that one of them is correct.
Examples of Syllogisms
Let us work on some other interesting examples:
- He couldn’t have stolen the jewelry. I know him.
- Major Premise: He couldn’t have stolen the jewelry.
- Minor Premise: I know his character.
- Her new purse can’t be ugly. It’s a Louis Vuitton.
- Major Premise: Her new accessory can’t be ugly.
- Minor Premise: It’s made by famous designer Louis Vuitton.
The above is enthymeme which is a type of syllogism. In the examples above, being familiar with someone or something implies an understanding of them.
- All crows are black. The bird in my cage is black. Therefore, this bird is a crow.
- Major Premise: All crows are black.
- Minor Premise: The bird in my cage is black.
- Conclusion: This bird is a crow.
- The scenery in Ireland is beautiful. I’m in Ireland. Therefore, the scenery must be beautiful.
- Major Premise: The scenery in Ireland is beautiful.
- Minor Premise: I’m in Ireland.
- Conclusion: The scenery is beautiful.
The above is an example of Syllogistic Fallacy. Of course, not all black birds are crows and not all of Ireland is beautiful. When preparing a talk or writing a paper, we should always be careful not to do anything that would cause others to think that way.
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