LOG101 EXERCISE NO.

7 OTHER FORMS OF CATEGORICAL SYLLOGISMS

Name _____________________________ Year & Sec._____________ Date _______________

Directions: Using the following format, make complete syllogisms of the enthymemes given
below. First pick out the conclusion, expressing it if it not already given. Then fill in the other
members, supplying those that are not expressed. Finally criticize the examples by applying to
them the various rules of inference. 

EXAMPLE The open shop is good for unions because it makes them more democratic. Major:
Whatever makes unions more democratic is good for unions. Minor: But the open shop (is
something that) makes unions more democratic. Concl: Therefore the open shop is for unions.  

1.    Communism, simply because it is a godless philosophy, contains within itself the seeds its
own destruction.

2.   Teachers’ unions are not desirable because they take away local control of schools.

Directions: Identify the type of special syllogism and present the corresponding figure.

1. The human soul is endowed with intellect and will; what is endowed with intellect and will is
spiritual; what is spiritual is incorruptible; and what is incorruptible is immortal; therefore the
human soul is immortal.

2. The more you exercise, the hungrier you get; the hungrier you get, the more you eat; the more
you eat, the fatter you get; the fatter you get, the less you move around; therefore, the more you
exercise, the less you move around.

3. Peace begets prosperity; prosperity begets pride; pride begets war; war begets poverty;
therefore peace begets poverty.

4. Education implies teaching; teaching implies knowledge; knowledge is truth; the truth is
everywhere the same; hence, education should be everywhere the same.

5. The prudent man is temperate; the temperate man is constant; the constant man is unperturbed;
buy he who is unperturbed is without sadness; and he who is without sadness is happy; therefore,
the prudent man is also happy.

Directions: Criticize the following dilemmas. Supply the missing members of those that are
stated incompletely. 

A universal skeptic (that is, one who denies that anything can be known for certain) is refuted as
follows:  Either you regard it as certain that nothing can be known for certain, or else you regard
it as uncertain. If you regard it as a certain, you hold at least one thing as certain; if you regard it
as uncertain, you also hold at least one thing as certain, namely, that you regard it. Therefore you
hold it as certain. Tertullian criticizes the policy of the Emperors of Trajan and Marcus Aurelius
in persecuting the Christians.  The Christians have either committed crimes, or else they have
not. If they have committed crimes, your policy is unjust in that you forbid them to be hunted
out: if they have not committed crimes, your policy is unjust in that you punish those who have
been brought to your attention. Therefore, your policy is unjust.