ENTHYMEME

WHAT IS AN ENTHYMEME?
• Is an argument that is expressible as a categorical syllogism but that is
missing a premise (Major or Minor) or a conclusion.
• It is a shortcut way of presenting an argument.
• The listener or reader’s intelligence is called into play when he or she
is required to supply a missing statement, thereby sustaining his or
her interest.
• On other occasions the arguer may want to slip an invalid or unsound
argument past an unwary listener or reader, and this aim may be
facilitated by leaving a premise or conclusion out of the picture.
HOW TO FIND WHAT IS THE MISSING
PROPOSITION IN AN ENTHYMEME?
• Determine what is missing, whether it is a premise or conclusion, and
then introduce the missing statement.
• Attention to indicator words will often provide the clue as to the
nature of the missing statement, but a little practice can render this
task virtually automatic.
• Once this is done, the entire argument may be translated into
categorical form.
EXAMPLE
• Major premise: All voters are citizens.
• Minor premise: Mayor Fongwan is a voter.
• Conclusion: Therefore, Mayor Fongwan is a citizen.
EXAMPLE
• Enthymeme:
• (Major premise omitted) Mayor Fongwan is a voter because he is a
citizen.
• (Minor premise omitted) Mayor is a citizen because citizens are
voters.
• (Conclusion Ommitted) Mayor Fongwan is a voter and all voters are
citizens.
ACTIVITY
• Direction: In each enthymeme given, find first what is the missing statement or
proposition then transform it into an argument (3 points) and underline what is the
missing proposition or statement (1 point). Copy the enthymeme in each number.
• I.E.:
“Carrie Underwood is a talented singer. After all, she’s won several Grammy Awards.”
Transform it into an argument:
Major Premise: Those who won several Grammy awards is a talented singer.
Minor Premise: Carrie Underwood won several Grammy Awards.
Conclusion: Therefore, Carrie Underwood is a talented singer.
ACTIVITY
1. Any form of cheating deserves to be punished, and plagiarism is a form of cheating.
2. Only nonprofit organizations are exempt from paying taxes, so churches must be exempt.
3. A contract to buy land is not enforceable unless it’s in writing, but our client’s contract to
buy land is in writing.
4. Wherever water exists, human life can be sustained, and water exists on the moon.
5. PBA is a party-list because it gained more than 2% votes in election for congress qualified
for congressional representation.
6. Spanish Cortes is a legislative branch that is why it is composed of legislators.
7. The head of a Parliamentary Government is Prime Minister and Mariano Rajoy is a Prime
Minister.
8. Claro M. Recto is a Nationalistic Senator because he support the implementation of Rizal
in college curriculum and to expel American Military bases in the Philippines.
9. Loren Legarda is a Reserve Colonel because she earned the degree of MNSA.