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M agrees with P
S agrees with M
Therefore, S agrees
with P
Example 2
kl;
A dog is an animal
A hound is a dog
Therefore, a hound is an
animal
2. The Principle of Reciprocal Non-Identity. This means that two terms, one
of which is identical with a third term and the other of which is non-identical
with that third term, are non identical with each other.
This principle also implies that two terms which do not both identify to the
third term, state nothing about their relationship. Therefore, we can neither
affirm or deny their identity to each other.
Example 1
P is M
S is not M
Therefore, S is not P
Example 2
P agrees with M
S does not agree with M
Therefore, S does not agree
with P
Graduate
Students
Under
eighteen
years of age
S
Mammal
s
Dogs
Mammal
Dogs
s Terrier
Terrier
s
Analyzing a Syllogism
To analyze a syllogism, we may proceed as follows:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Look for the conclusion and identify the minor term (S) and the major term (P)
Look for the premise containing the major term. It is the major premise.
Look for the premise containing the minor term. It is the minor premise.
Determine whether the conclusion has a sequential relation with the given
premises.
Major term (P)
A dog is an animal
A hound is a dog
Therefore, a hound is an
animal
Major premise
Minor
premise
Minor term
(S)