The student will observe that each statement in the syllogism is composed of two terms and that each term appears twice in the entire syllogism, but only once in any one statement. The major term represents the largest element in the syllogism namely, the class of persons who should study argumentation. The minor term represents the smallest element in the syllogism namely,-Paul Morton, the particular person about whom a conclusion is reached. The middle term serves as an intermediary or connecting link which binds the minor term to the major term. It does not appear in the conclusion but is cast away after it has served its purpose in assigning the minor term, Paul Morton, to the major term, those who should study argumentation. In the typical form of the syllogism with which we are concerned the major premise should always be in the universal affirmative-form. By universal affirmative is meant that the assertion is made with regard to the class as a whole as: "All men are mortal," "All laws should be obeyed," "All students should pay their bills," etc. No part of the class of persons, events, or things about which an assertion is made should be left outside the statement as would be the case if the statements read-"Some laws should be obeyed," "Some students should pay their bills.” From the foregoing discussion it is evident that the deductive syllogism, in order to be valid, must be constructed in accordance with certain well defined rules. In books of logic the student will find these rules discussed at some length and their application set forth in detail. For our purpose it is only necessary to refer to them and keep them clearly in mind in connection with the discussion here given. The rules of the syllogism with which we are concerned are as follows: 1. A syllogism must contain three terms, Major term, Minor term, and Middle term. 2. A syllogism must consist of three complete statements, Major Premise, Minor Premise, and Conclusion. 3. The middle term must be distributed at least once in the premises. A term is distributed when it is universal in its application or taken in its whole length of meaning. 4. A term cannot be distributed in the conclusion unless it is distributed in the premises. 5. No conclusion can be drawn from two negative premises. 6. A negative conclusion always follows one negative premise and a negative conclusion cannot be obtained unless one of the premises is negative. For the purpose of making more plain the relation between the terms and the statements in a syllogism let us consider the old method of graphical representation by means of circles. I. All college men should study argumentation. III. Paul Morton should study argumentation. From the diagrams on the following page it is seen that in the major premise the middle term must be wholly included within the major term. The entire class of college men must be included within the class of those who should study argumentation. Not one single college man must be left outside the class. In the minor premise the minor term must be clearly and unmistakably included within the middle term. Paul Morton must be a college man. He must not be a banker or a janitor. In the conclusion the minor term must be included within the major term. This position inevitably results from the two preceding situations. If the middle term, college men, is wholly included within the major term, those who should study argumentation, and if the minor term, Paul Morton, is wholly included within the middle term, college men, then it cannot be otherwise than that the minor I MAJOR PREMISE (Major Term) Men who should study argumentation (Middle Term) II MINOR PREMISE (Middle Term) College men (Minor Term) Paul Morton III CONCLUSION (Major Term) Men who should study argumentation (Minor Term) term is included within the major term. In other words, Paul Morton is definitely assigned to the class of those who should study argumentation. We may represent the whole syllogism in the following manner: (Major Term) Men who should study argumentation (Middle Term) College men (Minor Term) Paul Morton The student should be sure that he has mastered each step in the construction of a valid syllogism of the typical form before he passes on to the following section of this chapter. II. The application of deductive reasoning to deductive argument. From our examination of the deductive process of reasoning we cannot but realize its importance when applied to the construction of an argument. One cannot advance far into any argumentative discourse without encountering deduction in some form. A student in a class debate defended the following proposition with the inductive arguments given below: "Resolved that tariff should be imposed for revenue only." In his introduction the student declared that the protective tariff should be removed. In support of his contention he offered five substantial reasons which he claimed included the vital points at issue. These reasons were as follows: A. High duties encourage the formation of trusts. E. The usefulness of the protective tariff has long ceased. Each of the above reasons for the removal of the protective tariff is a deductive argument. The complete deductive process is seen when we state each argument in syllogistic form. A 1. All things which encourage the formation of trusts should be abolished. 2. The protective tariff encourages the formation of trusts. 3. Therefore the protective tariff should be abolished. B 1. All things which are the cause of the high cost of living should be abolished. 2. The protective tariff is a cause of the high cost of living. 3. Therefore the protective tariff should be abolished. C 1. All things which are unjust to the American people should be abolished. 2. The protective tariff is unjust to the American people. 3. Therefore the protective tariff should be abolished. D 1. All things which breed corruption should be abolished. 2. The protective tariff breeds corruption. 3. Therefore the protective tariff should be abolished. |