Lecture Notes: Organizing Categorical Syllogisms

Introduction

• Focus on organizing arguments not laid out in a logical manner.
• Use a three-step process.

Three-Step Process

Step 1: Identify Conclusion

• Use indicators to identify the conclusion.
• Place the conclusion at the bottom of the argument.

Step 2: Identify Minor and Major Terms

• Subject of the conclusion = minor term.
• Predicate of the conclusion = major term.

Step 3: Organize Premises

• Find premise with the major term and place it at the top (major premise).
• Find the premise with the minor term and place it at the bottom (minor premise).

Example Breakdown

• Example Argument: "No silicates are crystalline substances because all silicates are oxygen compounds and some oxygen compounds are not crystalline substances."
• Indicators: "because" (premise indicator), "and" (continuation of thought).

Identifying the Conclusion and Premises

• Conclusion: "No silicates are crystalline substances."
  • Conclusion simplified: No S are C.
• Premises:
  • All silicates are oxygen compounds → All S are O (minor premise).
  • Some oxygen compounds are not crystalline substances → Some O are not C (major premise).

Sorting Out Premises Based on Terms

• Minor Term (S) goes in the minor premise (bottom).
• Major Term (C) goes in the major premise (top).
• Middle Term (O) is in both premises.

Reorganized Argument

• Major Premise: Some O are not C.
• Minor Premise: All S are O.
• Conclusion: No S are C.

Summary

• Successfully reorganized an argument into standard form.
• Steps ensure clear logical structure.

Final Thoughts

• The process helps in formal scientific logical analysis.
• Practice helps with familiarity and ease.

Hope this helps! Take care!