Lesson 10- Hypothetical Syllogism

- Mediate inference whose major premise are hypothetical propositions.

- Three kinds: Conditional Syllogism (if . . then. .) ; Disjunctive Syllogism (either. . . or . . ) ; and the Conjunctive
Syllogism (not both . . . and )

Synopsis

a. Antecedent to Consequent
Rules Antecedent (Premises) Sequence Consequent
(Conclusion)
1 True Valid True
2 True Invalid ?
3 False Valid ?
4 False Invalid ?

b. Consequent to Antecedent
Rules Consequent Sequence Antecedent
(Conclusion) (Premises)
1 False Valid False
2 False Invalid ?
3 True Valid ?
4 True Invalid ?

1. Conditional Syllogism
- The major premise is a conditional proposition and both the minor premise and the conclusion posit or sublate
depending on the applicable rule governing an instance of a conditional syllogism.
- Posit mean affirm or assert ; Sublate means deny or negate

The Rules Governing Hypothetical Syllogism:

Rule 1: Posit the antecedent in the minor premise and posit the consequent in the conclusion.

- If the antecedent is true and the sequence is valid, the consequent is true,
- Application of Dictum de Omni which is the basis of the affirmative mood or the modus ponens of a syllogism

Rule 2: Sublate the consequent in the minor premise and sublate the antecedent in the conclusion.

- If the consequent is false and the sequence is valid, the antecedent is false
- Application of Dictum de Nullo which is the basis of the negative mood or modus tollens – from the Latin word
Tollere which means “to deny”.

Two types:

a. Mixed Conditional Syllogism - whose minor premise is a categorical syllogism

 Commonest and most important
 It uses “if. .then” in the major premise and in the minor and the conclusion are categorical
syllogism.
Example:

For Rule 1: If a is b, then c is d; If it is raining, then the roof is getting wet;

But a is b; but it is raining,

Therefore, c is d. Therefore, the roof is getting wet. (Valid Sequence)

If it is raining, then the roof is getting wet;

but the roof is getting wet,

Therefore, it is raining. (Invalid Sequence)

If you are a Christian, then you are a believer; If you are a Christian, then you are a believer;

But you are a Christian, But you are a believer,

Therefore, you are a believer. (Valid Sequence) therefore, you are a Christian. (Invalid Sequence)

For Rule 2: If a is b, then c is d;

But c is not d;

Therefore, a is not b.

 The perplexing of logical forms of a conditional syllogism are those whose major premise have one
negative clause – which may be the antecedent or consequent, or two negative clauses.

Example:

For Rule 1: If a is b, then c is not d; For Rule 2: If a is b, then c is not d;

But a is b; But c is d;

Therefore, c is not d. Therefore, a is not b.

If a is not b, then c is not d; If a is not b, then c is not d;

But a is not b; But c is d;

Therefore, c is not d. Therefore, a is b.

Note: in Rule 2, the process of making explicit and implicit in the principle of double negation which means
negation of negation is equivalent to an affirmation.

b. Purely Conditional Syllogism – both premises are conditional propositions as well as in the conclusion.
 Series of antecedent and consequent with a minimum of two antecedents and two consequents.
 Mental training for the falsity and truth of the major premise
 If consequent flows form the antecedent
 Determine which are the first antecedent and first consequent and the last antecedent and last
consequent
Example:

For Rule 1: If a is b, then c is d; For Rule 2: If a is b, then c is d;

But if e is f, then a is b; But if e is f, then c is not d;

Therefore, if e is f, then c is d. Therefore, if e is f, then a is not b.

 The Perplexing logical forms of purely conditional syllogism are those whose major premise have
one negative clause – which may be the antecedent or the consequent, or two clauses are
negative.

For Rule 1: If a is b, then c is not d; If a is not b, then c is not d;

But if e is f, then a is b; But if e is f, then a is not b;

Ergo, if e is f, then c is not d. Ergo, if e is f, then c is not d.

If you are a Christian, then you are a believer;

But if you are a Roman Catholic, then you are a Christian;
Hence, if you are a Roman Catholic, then you are a believer.

If you are a Christian, then you are not an atheist;

But if you are a Roman Catholic, then you are a Christian;
Hence, if you are a Roman Catholic, then you are not an atheist.

For Rule 2: If a is b, then c is not d; If a is not b, then c is not d;

But if e is f, then c is d; But if e is f, then c is d;

Ergo, if e is f, then a is not b. Ergo, if e is f, then a is b.

Correct Application of Rule 2: If it is raining, then the roof is getting wet;

Valid Sequence But if the weather is good, then the roof is not getting wet;
Thus, if the weather is good, then it is not raining.

Incorrect Application of Rule 2: If it is raining, then the roof is getting wet;

Invalid Sequence But if the weather is good, then it is not raining;
Thus, if the weather is good, then the roof is not getting wet.

2. Disjunctive Syllogism
- Uses a Disjunctive propositions indicated by the use of “. . . either. . .or. . .” in the major premise and categorical
proposition in the minor premise and conclusion
- Present two alternatives where in one of it is true
o Rules in Disjunctive Syllogism:

Rule 1: If the minor premise posits one or more members of the major premise, the conclusion sublates the remaining
member or members

 Applies “modus ponens” and “modus tollens” = the method in positing or affirming and the method
of sublating or denying is called “modus ponendo tollens” (the method of positing and sublating or
the method of affirming and denying.)
 The minor premise posits and the conclusion sublates
Rule 2: If the minor premise sublates one or more members of the major premise, the conclusion posits the remaining
member or members.

 Applies “modus tollens” and “modus ponens ” = the method sublating and the method of positing is
called “modus tollendo ponens” (the method of sublating and positing or the method of denying
and affirming)
 The minor premise sublates and the conclusion posits
o Two types of Disjunctive Syllogism:
a. Strict Disjunctive Syllogism
- One member of the major premise is true and the rest is false.
- Governed by rule 1 and 2 of Disjunctive syllogism
- There is a certainty as to which of the members of the major premise is true and which is false

Examples:

Rule 1: Juan is either in CDO or in Cebu; Rule 2: Juan is either in CDO or in Cebu;
But he is in CDO; But he is not in Cebu;
Ergo, he is not in Cebu. Ergo, he is in CDO

Rule 1: Maria is either married, single, divorced or legally separated;

But she is single;
Hence, she is not married, divorced or legally separated.

Rule 2: Maria is either married, single, divorced or legally separated;

But, she is not married, divorced or legally separated.
Hence, she is single;

b. Broad Disjunctive Syllogism

- Has atleast two members of the major premise that remained to be determined as true or false and one of which is
true.
- No certainty yet in its conclusion because there remain a minimum of two members of the major premise and one
of which is true.
- Rule no. 2 is applicable only

Examples:

Valid: Pedro is either on Cebu, Davao, Manila or Bukidnon;

But he is not in Cebu or Davao;
Hence, he is either in Manila or Bukidnon.

Invalid: Pedro is either on Cebu, Davao, Manila or Bukidnon; (Rule 1 Application)

But, he is either in Manila or Bukidnon.
Hence, he is not in Cebu or Davao;

3. Conjunctive Syllogism
- Uses conjunctive propositions indicated by use of “. . not both. .and” in its major premise while in the minor
premise and the conclusion are categorical syllogism.
- Mental training: principle of contradiction whose logical form is “a is not b” or “a is non-b” – the Principle of
Contradiction stated that “a thing cannot both be and not be”.
- Conjunctive syllogism expresses the impossibility of two alternatives to be true at the same time to a person, place
or thing.
Only one Rule in Conjunctive Syllogism:
Rule: Posit in the minor premise one member of the major premise and sublate the other member in
the conclusion.
Example:
Juan cannot both be in CDO and Davao; Juan cannot both be in Cebu and Manila;
But he is in CDO; but he is not in Cebu;
Thus, he is not in Davao. Thus, he is in Manila.

Maria cannot be simultaneously be married and single;

But she is single;
Hence, she is not married.

Maria cannot be simultaneously be married and single;

But she is not single;
Hence, she is married.