Philo notes pt. 4
Philo notes pt. 4
What is an argument?
An argument is a claim or stand on something.
● Disjunctive
“Either, or”
p or q
~p
/∴ q
Major term “P” - predicate of the conclusion and is found in the major premise.
Minor term “S” - subject of the conclusion and is found in the minor premise.
Middle term “M” - found in both premises but not in the conclusion
Predicate terms - affirmative proposition are always particular, negative proposition are
always universal
Rules of Categorical Syllogism
There must only be three terms in the syllogism: the major, the minor and middle terms,
each of which must be used univoqually (only one meaning).
Neither the Major nor the minor term may be universal in the conclusion if it was
particular in the premises.
The middle term does not appear in the conclusion, acts as a connecting term.
If one of the premises is negative, the conclusion must be negative. If one of the
premises is a particular proposition, then the conclusion must be particular.
No conclusion can be drawn from two particular premises; at least one must be a
universal proposition.