Syllogisms and Enthymemes PPT
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Transcript Syllogisms and Enthymemes PPT
Syllogisms and Enthymemes
Ksiazek E319
Forming Arguments
Arguments are created through:
◦ premises, or logical relationships among ideas
◦ an audience acceding to the beliefs underlying
those premises
Syllogism
Term coined by Aristotle
Used to describe logical reasoning from
beliefs and statements
Parts of a Syllogism
Syllogisms consist of the following:
◦ A major premise: an irrefutable generalization
about the world.
◦ A minor premise: some particular statement
that falls under the general category.
◦ The conclusion: the statement that follows
from the major premise and the minor
premise.
Syllogism Example #1
Major premise: All humans are mortal.
(Inarguable fact…unless you have discovered the fountain
of youth)
Minor premise: Mrs. Ksiazek is human.
(Jedi background has yet to be verified)
Conclusion: Therefore, Mrs. Ksiazek is
mortal.
Syllogism Example #2
Major premise: Students need to maintain
a B- average to meet the course requisite
for AP Language and Composition.
Minor premise: Atticus Finch received a
D+ for the semester.
Conclusion: Atticus did not meet the
course requisite for AP.
Enthymemes and Syllogisms
Similarities
◦ Movement of logic
◦ Major and minor
premises, conclusion
Differences
◦ Enthymemes do not
begin with irrefutable
truth, but with an
assumption, statement,
or proposition that
the writer PRESUMES
the audience accepts
◦ Major premise is often
unstated as a result
Enthymeme Example #1
Major premise: Unstated
Minor premise: Mrs. Ksiazek is a teacher.
Conclusion: Of course, she gave me good
advice.
What is the assumed major
premise ? Problems?
Answer
Possible major premises:
◦ Teachers give good advice.
◦ Teachers are wise.
Problems:
◦ Teachers may only be wise in certain subject
areas and may not be qualified to give advice
in all areas.
◦ General wisdom may not be the only factor
to consider when giving advice.
Enthymeme Example #2
Major premise: Unstated
Minor premise: The construction of large
housing developments that adjoin forest
preserves upsets the ecosystem and
drives animals such as deer, raccoons, and
skunks out of their natural habitats.
Conclusion: Therefore, city, county, and
state governments should limit the
number and size of houses built in such
developments.
What is the assumed major
premise ? Problems?
Answer
Possible major premises:
◦ Animals deserve a stable ecological habitat in
which to live, just as humans do.
Problems:
◦ One could argue that human rights supercede
animal rights.
Petitio Prinicipi
Translation: begging of the question
Problem of enthymemes
When major premise is questioned
(whether stated or unstated)
Writer must attempt to change reader’s
mind
Major premise needs to become the
conclusion for a new enthymeme
Enthymeme Example #3
Major premise: All creatures of the Earth
play a natural role in maintaining the
ecological stability of an area.
Minor premise: Animals contribute to the
ecological stability of an area near rural
property by feeding on vegetation and
smaller animals.
Conclusion: Animals deserve a stable
ecological habitat in which to live, just as
humans do.
Catcher in the Rye:
Syllogism or Enthymeme?
Major premise: All grieving individuals
undergo seven stages to work through
their emotions and accept a loss.
Minor premise: Holden displays anger by
breaking all the garage windows after
Allie’s death.
Conclusion: Holden has not yet accepted
Allie’s death.
Catcher in the Rye:
Syllogism or Enthymeme?
Major premise: A foil character contrasts
with another character in a novel to
highlight various features of that
character.
Minor premise: Stradlater’s popularity
with peers and girls highlights Holden’s
isolation.
Conclusion: Stradlater is a foil to Holden.
Now you try!
Attempt to write a syllogism or an
enthymeme which gives us some sort of
insight into the character of Holden
Caulfield.
Remember to follow the major premise,
minor premise, conclusion format.
Label your example as syllogism or
enthymeme.
Be prepared to share, justify, and repeat!