Syllogisms and Enthymemes

1. Syllogisms and Enthymemes Ksiazek E319

2. Forming Arguments • Arguments are created through: • premises, or logical relationships among ideas • an audience acceding to the beliefs underlying those premises

3. Syllogism • Term coined by Aristotle • Used to describe logical reasoning from beliefs and statements

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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

8. Enthymeme Example #1 • Major premise: Unstated • Minor premise: Mrs. Ksiazek is a teacher. • Conclusion: Of course, she gave me good advice.

9. What is the assumed major premise ? Problems?

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. What is the assumed major premise ? Problems?

13. 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.

14. Begging 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

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. Now you try! • Attempt to write a syllogism or an enthymeme which gives us some sort of insight into the character of Edna from The Awakening • Remember to follow the major premise, minor premise, conclusion format. • Label your example as syllogism or enthymeme. • Be prepared to share, justify, and repeat!