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Syllogisms

Syllogisms are a kind of deductive reasoning about sets. A simple syllogism definition is that it's a form of deductive reasoning where you arrive at a specific conclusion by examining premises or ideas.

Many Syllogisms contain 3 components:

  1. Major premise
  2. Minor premise
  3. Conclusion
info

Deductive reasoning is a logical approach where you progress from general ideas to specific conclusions.

It's often contrasted with inductive reasoning, where you start with specific observations and form general conclusions.

Deductive reasoning is also called deductive logic or top-down reasoning.

Examples​

valid syllogism type

Vocabulary​

syllogisms

noun
  1. An argument whose conclusion is supported by two premises, of which one contains the term that is the predicate of the conclusion, and the other contains the term that is the subject of the conclusion; common to both premises is a term that is excluded from the conclusion.
  2. A trick, artifice; an extremely subtle, sophisticated, or deceptive argument; a sophism.

deductive

adjective
  1. Of, pertaining to, or based on deduction (process of reasoning).
  2. Based on inferences from general principles.

premises

noun
  1. Land, and all the built structures on it, especially when considered as a single place.
  2. The subject of a conveyance or deed

subtle

adjective
  1. Hard to grasp; not obvious or easily understood; barely noticeable.
  2. (of a thing) Cleverly contrived.
  3. (of a person or animal) Cunning, skillful.
  4. Insidious.
  5. Tenuous; rarefied; of low density or thin consistency.
  6. Refined; exquisite.

References​