Unit 3: Syllogisms and Validity

Question 1

Define argument

Answer 1

A set of statements,

one** of which appears to be **implied** or **supported

by the others

Question 2

The _____________ of an argument is the statement that appears to be implied by the other statements in the argument, which are called ____________.

Answer 2

conclusion

premises

Question 3

Define syllogism

Answer 3

A deductive argument

with two premises** and **three terms

Question 4

What is a categorical syllogism?

Answer 4

A syllogism consisting of

three statements

in categorical form

Question 5

What is the major term of a syllogism?

Answer 5

The predicate of the conclusion

and is used in one premise

Question 6

What is the minor term of a syllogism?

Answer 6

The subject of the conclusion

and is used in the other premise

Question 7

What is the middle term of a syllogism?

Answer 7

The term that is found once in each premise

Question 8

What is the major premise?

Answer 8

The premise that contains the major term

Question 9

What is the minor premise?

Answer 9

The premise that contains the minor term

Question 10

What are the 5 steps

to put a syllogism into standard form?

Answer 10

1. Find the conclusion
2. Find the major term
3. Find the major premise
4. Find the minor premise
5. Write the syllogism in standard order

Question 11

The ____________ of a syllogism

is a representation of it, having statements in standard order with standard abbreviations of its terms.

Answer 11

schema

Question 12

The _________ of a syllogism

is a three-letter description of the types of categorical statements it contains when arranged in standard order

Answer 12

mood

Question 13

The __________ of a syllogism

is the number from 1 to 4

identifying the placement of its middle term

Answer 13

figure

Question 14

A syllogism is __________

if and only if

the premises imply the conclusion

Answer 14

valid

Question 15

A _______________ to a syllogism

is a syllogism of the same form as the original,

but with obviously true premises

and an obviously false conclusion,

in order to show the original to be invalid.

Answer 15

counterexample

Question 16

What is a distributed term?

Answer 16

A term that refers to all members of its category

Question 17

What term is distributed in the following statements: All S are P

No S are P

Some S are P

Some S are not P

Answer 17

All S are P - S is distributed

No S are P - Both S and P

Some S are P - Both are undistributed

Some S are not P - P is distributed

Question 18

What are the 5 rules for testing the validity of syllogisms?

Answer 18

1. Middle term distributed in at least one premise.
2. Distributed in conclusion**, then distributed in **premise.
3. Cannot have two negative premises.
4. Cannot have a negative premise and affirmative conclusion.
5. Cannot have two** **affirmative** premises and a **negative conclusion.

Question 19

What is the Fallacy of the Undistributed Middle?

Answer 19

When the middle term is undistributed in both premises, then no necessary connection is being made between the premises.

Question 20

What is the Fallacy of an Illicit Major?

Answer 20

If the major term** is **distributed** in the **conclusion**, but **not** in the **premise.

Question 21

What is the Fallacy of the Illicit Minor?

Answer 21

If the minor term** is **distributed** in the **conclusion**, but **not in the premise.

Question 22

What is the Fallacy of Two Negative Premises?

Answer 22

Any syllogism that has only E** or **O** statements as **premises.

Question 23

What is the Fallacy of Two Affirmative Premises and a Negative Conclusion?

Answer 23

One premise** has to be **negative** if you have a **negative conclusion.