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ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS:
Please upload a document of 400-500 words responding to the following instructions:
(1) Compose a sound syllogism in standard form.
(2) List the middle term, major term, & minor term.
(3) State the figure and mood of the syllogism.
(4) List the four rules of validity and state why or how your syllogism conforms to each of them.
(5) Convert the syllogism into a short paragraph, ensuring that all three premises are present.
(6) Would the paragraph benefit from a more subtle approach? If so, omit one of the premises or conclusions in order to formulate an enthymeme.
(7) Would the paragraph benefit from additional support? If so, add an epicheirema or another argument.
The uploaded document should be single-spaced (where appropriate), with 1 in. margins all around, and executed in a standard 12 pt. font such as Times New Roman, Arial, Garamond, etc. While this is primarily a response paper, you should provide parenthetical citations if applicable.
Remember, your essay should be your own. This is not a research paper. Do not copy and paste from outside web sources or consult any unauthorized material (whether print or digital). If you would like to utilize a source you are unsure about, please seek permission from the professor. Use of unauthorized source material will result in a “0” on the assignment. Use of a Chatbot or any other form of conversational AI is absolutely prohibited. The consequences for plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty are outlined in the syllabus.
HOW TO WORK ON THIS ASSIGNMENT (EXAMPLE ESSAY / DRAFT)
Essay on Sound Syllogisms
A syllogism is a logical argument that is made up of three parts: two premises and a conclusion. In this essay, I will compose a sound syllogism in standard form, list its middle term, major term, and minor term, state its figure and mood, and explain how it conforms to the four rules of validity. Finally, I will convert the syllogism into a short paragraph and consider whether it would benefit from a more subtle approach or additional support.
- The Syllogism
Premise 1: All dogs are mammals. Premise 2: All mammals have fur. Conclusion: All dogs have fur.
- Middle, Major, and Minor Terms
The middle term in this syllogism is “mammals.” The major term is “dogs,” and the minor term is “fur.”
- Figure and Mood
The figure of this syllogism is 2 and the mood is AAA.
- The Four Rules of Validity
The four rules of validity are:
- The first rule is the rule of syllogism. This means that the syllogism must be in standard form and have three terms.
- The second rule is the rule of terms. This means that the terms must be clear and unambiguous.
- The third rule is the rule of quantity. This means that the premises must contain all of the necessary information to support the conclusion.
- The fourth rule is the rule of quality. This means that the premises must be true and the conclusion must follow logically from them.
This syllogism conforms to all four rules of validity. The terms are clear, the premises contain all necessary information, and the conclusion follows logically from the premises.
- The Paragraph
All dogs are mammals, and all mammals have fur. Based on these two premises, it can be concluded that all dogs have fur. This syllogism follows the standard form and the four rules of validity, making it a sound argument.
- A More Subtle Approach
The paragraph could benefit from a more subtle approach by omitting one of the premises or the conclusion. For example, an enthymeme could be: “Dogs have fur because they are mammals.”
- Additional Support
The paragraph could also benefit from additional support in the form of an epicheirema or another argument. For example, an epicheirema could be: “Many people know that dogs have fur because they have seen it for themselves.”
In conclusion, composing a sound syllogism is an important skill for making logical arguments. By understanding the middle, major, and minor terms, the figure and mood, and the four rules of validity, you can ensure that your syllogisms are sound. Additionally, by converting the syllogism into a paragraph and considering a more subtle approach or additional support, you can enhance the persuasive power of your argument.
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