syllogism

**Syllogism**
Definition:

From the Greek for "reckoning together," a syllogism (or syllogistic reasoning) is a deductive system of formal logic that presents two premises - the first one called "major" and the second "minor" - that inevitable lead to a sound conclusion.

A frequently cited example proceeds as follows: A syllogism's conclusion is valid only if each of the two premises is valid. Syllogisms may also present the specific idea first ("Socrates") and the general idea second ("All Men").
 * Major premise: All men are mortal.
 * Minor premise: Socrates is a man.
 * Conclusion: Therefore, Socrates is mortal.

Other Examples:
 * Major premise: All birds are egg-layers.
 * Minor premise: All sea-gulls are birds.
 * Conclusion: Therefore, all sea-gulls are egg-layers.


 * Major premise: No mammals are birds.
 * Minor premise: All whales are mammals.
 * Conclusion: Therefore, no whales are birds.

Citations: "15 Syllogisms." __Conceptual Graphs__. Huminf. 2 Apr 2007 .

J. Young - P5 A. Vela - P5 C.O'Toole - P5 C. Calderon - P5 S. Ulrich - P5