Exercises for Testing Syllogisms

The syllogistic exercises referred to on this index page include a matching exercise for syllogistic terminology, syllogistic Venn diagram practice, setting up syllogism, and testing syllogisms for validity.

Two short exercises are provided for testing syllogistic forms by means of Venn diagrams.

One longer group of problems involves setting up standard form syllogisms, naming their mood and figure, and testing for validity by means of diagrams and syllogistic fallacies.

Finally, more difficult problems of translating different passages into standard form arguments of different types is provided. For this exercise, some understanding of immediate inferences, syllogistic arguments, and enthymematic arguments is required.

• Syllogistic Terminology

  Match syllogistic terms with their proper definition.

  Syllogistic Terms
  
  

• Constructing Venn Diagrams for Categorical Propositions

  Diagram Standard Form Categorical Propositions

  Venn Diagrams 1

  Venn Diagrams 2
  
  

• Testing Standard Form Syllogisms

  Construct in standard order, name mood and figure, and test validity by means of Venn diagrams and syllogistic fallacies.

  Testing Syllogisms — Answers
  
  

• Testing Syllogistic Forms and Ordinary Language Arguments

  Test syllogistic forms (given only mood and figure) and some ordinary language syllogisms to test by means of Venn Diagram and the syllogistic fallacies.

  Forms & Ordinary Language — Answers
  
  

• Testing Ordinary Language Mixed Arguments

  Translate into standard form categorical statements and assess the validity of several types of more difficult arguments including syllogism, square of opposition, further immediate inference, or enthymematic argument.

  Mixed Arguments — Answers