Syllogisms are two premiss arguments.  Almost any argument, no matter how complex, can be put into syllogistic form.  

Several different techniques are discussed here whereby such arguments can be evaluated conclusively to be either valid or invalid.

Links to Lecture Notes …
CATEGORICAL SYLLOGISMS

• Syllogistic Terms, Part I
  Notes introduce the logical terms used to describe two-premiss arguments composed of categorical statements. 
  
• Syllogistic Terms, Part II
  Second part of notes introduce the logical terms used to describe two-premiss arguments composed of categorical statements.
  
• Refutation by Logical Analogy
  The technique of refuting an invalid syllogism by inventing an argument with the same form but with better understood terms is explained.
  
• Venn Diagrams
  The Venn Diagram technique is shown for typical as well as unusual syllogisms.
  
• Syllogistic Fallacies
  The rules for valid syllogisms are described and illustrated.
  

Four Term Fallacy
Undistributed Middle Term
Illicit Minor and Illicit Major
Exclusive Premisses
Aff. Concl. From a Neg. Premiss
Existential Fallacy


• Testing Standard Form Syllogisms
  Practice exercises with answers are given for testing syllogisms.
  

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11.24.04       © 2004 Licensed under GFDL