Oblique Syllogisms

Question 1

What is an Oblique Syllogism?

Answer 1

A categorical syllogism where one of the terms is in the Oblique Case (not nominative).

Question 2

What are the differences between Categorical and Oblique Syllogisms?

Answer 2

In an Oblique Syllogism, one of the terms is in the Oblique Case and the major and minor terms are distinguished by relation, not by a middle term.

Question 3

How do you check the Validity of Oblique Syllogisms?

Answer 3

Instead of checking the distribution of the middle term like with Categorical Syllogisms, in Oblique Syllogisms you check the transitive relationship of the major and minor terms.

Question 4

What is the form of an Oblique Syllogism?

Answer 4

M is P
S is M(r)
S is P(r)

Question 5

What is an A Fortiori Argument?

Answer 5

An argument which is formally invalid, but is technically an argument.

Question 6

What is the Form of an A Fortiori Argument?

Answer 6

A is greater than B
B is greater than C
Therefore, A is greater than C