Deductive Reasoning

Rules for Valid Syllogisms

Rules for a valid categorical syllogism

1. A valid syllogism must possess three, and only three, unambiguous terms.
If any term is vague or has multiple meanings, the syllogism is invalid. Invalid Syllogism:
Major premise: In order to run something must have feet Minor Premise: My nose is running Conclusion: Therefore, my nose must have feet. (the term run has two different meanings)

Rules for a valid categorical syllogism

2. The middle term must be universal and unqualified in at least one premise.
The middle term (the one that appears in both premises) must be universal, e.g. an all, every or no statement in at least one premise Invalid syllogism:
Major premise: Some charities represent religious groups. Minor premise: Some religious groups represent extremist groups. Conclusion: Therefore, some charities represent extremist groups. (both premises are particular or qualified)

Rules for a valid categorical syllogism

3. The middle term must be distributed in both premises. (Also, the middle term may not appear in the conclusion)
The middle term must serve as the subject of one premise (before the verb) and the predicate (after the verb) of the other premise. Invalid Syllogism:
Major premise: Convicts have a lot of tattoos Minor premise: Favio has a lot of tattoos Conclusion: Therefore, Favio must be a convict (the middle term a lot of tattoos is the predicate of each premise)

Rules for a valid categorical syllogism

4. Qualified premises require qualified conclusions
No term may be universal in the conclusion that is not universal in a premise. If one premise is qualified or particular, the conclusion must be qualified or particular. Invalid Syllogism
Major premise: Some Italians are great lovers Minor premise: Joey is Italian Conclusion: Therefore, Joey is a great lover (the major premise is qualified, so the conclusion must be qualified too)

Rules for a valid categorical syllogism

5. At least one premise must be affirmative
Both premises cannot be negative. If either premise is negative the conclusion must be negative. Invalid Syllogism
Major premise: no cat is a reptile Minor premise: no reptile is warm-blooded Conclusion: Therefore, no cat is warm-blooded (both premises are negative)

Argument 1
Major premise: Some snakes are poisonous Minor premise: No mammals are poisonous Conclusion: Therefore, no mammals are snakes Valid or Invalid?
Answer: Invalid. The middle term is not distributed

Argument 2
Major premise:Left Valid or Invalid? handers are more prone to occupational injuries Answer: Valid. Minor premise: Jake is left-handed Conclusion: Therefore, Jake is more prone to occupational injuries.

Argument 3
Major premise: Students who study hard get good grades Minor premise: Loretta gets good grades Conclusion: Therefore, Loretta studies hard Valid or Invalid?
Answer: Invalid. Undistributed middle term, and the fallacy of affirming the consequent

Argument 4
Major premise: Either Valid or invalid? the state must raise taxes or cut social services Answer: Valid. Minor premise: The state will not raise taxes Conclusion: Therefore, the state must cut social services.

Argument 5
Major premise: No dog likes cats Minor premise: all cats like fish Conclusion: Therefore, no dog likes fish
Valid or invalid?
Invalid

Argument 6
Major premise: If deforestation continues, there will be more global warming Minor premise: We can see that there is more global warming Conclusion: Therefore, deforestation must be continuing

Valid or invalid?
Invalid: the middle term global warming isnt distributed, and the syllogism commits the fallacy of affirming the consequent

Argument 7
Major premise: some chimpanzees can be potty-trained. Minor premise: Bonzo is a chimpanzee Conclusion: Therefore, Bonzo can be potty-trained. Valid or invalid?
Invalid: the middle term, chimpanzees, isnt universal or unqualified in the major premise.

Argument 8
Three friends are trying What type of movie(s) to decide what movie to see. Their choices can all three friends are a foreign film, a agree on seeing? violent action adventure, a mystery, a Answer: a mystery or a gory sci fi, or a comedy comedy. Trudy Mona Ozzie
Trudy doesnt want to see a foreign film Mona prefers not to see an action adventure movie Ozzie doesnt like violent or gory movies
foreign action adventure mystery X XX

science fiction
comedy

Argument 9
Assume the following statements are all true: Nero, the Roman emperor, regularly drank from cups made of pewter that contained lead. Anyone who regularly ingests lead will develop lead poisoning. Lead poisoning always leads to insanity.

Which of the following conclusions can be logically deduced from the statements at left?
A. insane people crave lead. B. lead poisoning is the leading cause of insanity. C. The use of pewter was reserved exclusively for Roman emperors. D. Lead poisoning was common among the citizens of the Roman empire. E. Nero must have been insane.