Method

Syllogistic Analysis

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Classification

Method family
formal
Domains
Philosophy of Religion

Overview

Syllogistic analysis represents an inference through categorical premises and a conclusion so that its validity can be tested by figure and form.

Purpose. The method separates the question of whether a conclusion follows from the question of whether its premises are true. It is narrower than formalization in general and does not treat every argument as a categorical syllogism.

Characteristic operations

  • Identify the terms: Distinguish the major, minor, and middle terms in the inference.
  • Standardize the propositions: Express the premises and conclusion in categorical form.
  • Determine figure and mood: Record the position of the middle term and the quantity and quality of each proposition.
  • Test validity: Decide whether the form makes the conclusion follow necessarily from the premises.

Used by traditions

Applied to questions

References

  • Aristotle, Prior Analytics I.1–7 (definition and figures of the syllogism)
  • Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae I, q. 2, a. 3 (the Five Ways)