The Intriguing World of Syllogism Reasoning
by Yuvi K - December 16, 2023
What is Syllogism Reasoning?
Syllogism reasoning, also known as traditional logic, is a type of logical argument in which a conclusion is reached by combining two or more existing premises. It is the most basic form of deductive reasoning, an argument where the premises are assumed to be true and the conclusion is drawn from them. Syllogism reasoning is usually used in critical reasoning and decision making, especially when the facts or assumptions used are already known. It is a type of logical inference that is necessary for finding solutions to problems.
Syllogism reasoning is often used in academic and professional settings, and is an important tool for anyone who needs to make decisions based on evidence. The premises, which are the starting points of the syllogism, are based on the assumption that the statement is true. The conclusion is then supported by the premises. It is important to remember that all syllogisms must contain a major premise, minor premise, and conclusion in order to be valid.
Essentially, syllogism reasoning is used to draw conclusions based on given facts or assumptions. It is important to note that syllogisms do not always lead to an absolute answer, as more than one conclusion can be drawn from a set of premises. Hence, one of the key features of syllogism reasoning is to analyze the facts and assumptions to determine the most logical conclusion.
Classification of Syllogism
Syllogism reasoning can be classified into three categories – Categorical, Hypothetical, and Disjunctive Syllogisms.
Categorical Syllogisms
This type of syllogism reasoning is based on two premises that contain two terms each, such as All X are Y and All Y are Z, and a conclusion which states that All X are Z. The two terms used in each premises are called the subject and the predicate. This type of reasoning is used when statements have to be formed from a set of established facts and then a conclusion has to be drawn.
Hypothetical Syllogisms
This type of syllogism reasoning involves a mixture of facts and assumptions to draw a conclusion. It works on the basis of “if… then” statements. For example, if X is true then Y is true, and if Y is true then Z is true. Therefore, if X is true then Z is also true. This type of syllogism reasoning is used to draw conclusions from uncertain information or assumptions.
Disjunctive Syllogisms
This type of syllogism reasoning is based on the premise of ‘either..or’ which allows for both of two scenarios to be possible. As the conclusion can be drawn without considering the premises, the consequence is either X or Z. For example, if X is true then Z is false, and if X is false then Z is true. Hence, either X or Z is true.
Conclusion
Syllogism reasoning is an important tool in critical thinking and decision-making. It is a type of logical argument in which two or more existing premises are combined to draw a conclusion. It can be classified into three types: categorical, hypothetical, and disjunctive syllogisms. By understanding the premises and conclusion of this type of reasoning, one can use it to draw logical conclusions from evidence.
References:
1. https://www.javatpoint.com/syllogism-reasoning
2. https://www.varsitytutors.com/hotmath/hotmath_help/topics/types-of-syllogisms
3. https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-logic/logic-basics/deductive-reasoning-v/a/what-is-syllogistic-logic
