Categorical Syllogism - Argument From Deduction

Author: Best.Korea

Posts

Total: 9
Best.Korea
Best.Korea's avatar
Debates: 354
Posts: 10,534
4
6
10
Best.Korea's avatar
Best.Korea
4
6
10
Who likes categorical syllogism?

I sure do.

Now, dont be scared by the name "categorical syllogism". 

Its actually not scary, but very simple form of logic.

Let  me give you an example.

All cats are animals.

All animals eat food.

Therefore, all cats eat food.

Simple, isnt it?

Its like math:

X = Y
Y = Z
Therefore
X = Z


Or in a different form:

X = Y
Z = X 
Z = Y


In the argument form, it goes like:

All people deserve human rights.

All gays are people.

All gays deserve human rights.


Or in another form:

All gays are people.

All people deserve human rights.

All gays deserve human rights.


And that is categorical syllogism form of argument.
Best.Korea
Best.Korea's avatar
Debates: 354
Posts: 10,534
4
6
10
Best.Korea's avatar
Best.Korea
4
6
10
In the form of including, it goes:

Living beings include animals.
Animals include cats.
Therefore, living beings include cats.

Or in another form

Animals include cats.
Living beings include animals.
Living beings include cats.
Savant
Savant's avatar
Debates: 23
Posts: 1,999
3
7
6
Savant's avatar
Savant
3
7
6
-->
@Best.Korea
The main problem that arises with syllogisms is when one of the premises proves too much. Take the example, "All people deserve human rights." The opposing side could argue that murderers or thieves forfeit their right to liberty and that the major premise is not valid. Your argument rests on both premises being valid, so you end up having to defend something completely off topic.
zedvictor4
zedvictor4's avatar
Debates: 22
Posts: 12,051
3
3
6
zedvictor4's avatar
zedvictor4
3
3
6
-->
@Best.Korea
Gay is possible.

All people are possible

All people are possibly gay.


The closet door is is opening.
Best.Korea
Best.Korea's avatar
Debates: 354
Posts: 10,534
4
6
10
Best.Korea's avatar
Best.Korea
4
6
10
-->
@Savant
I understand that problems could arise if premise is false or easily disproven, or if you are forced to go off topic to defend it. But thats what usually happens in debates anyway.

However, categorical syllogisms are important, so I wanted to start with them.
Best.Korea
Best.Korea's avatar
Debates: 354
Posts: 10,534
4
6
10
Best.Korea's avatar
Best.Korea
4
6
10
-->
@zedvictor4
Gay is possible.
All people are possible
All people are possibly gay.
Thats not a proper form.

You are going with

X includes Z
X includes Y
I includes Y

The conclusion doesnt logically follow.

It has to be in one of these forms:

X includes Y
Y includes Z
Therefore,
X includes Z

Or 
Y includes Z
X includes Y
X includes Z

Best.Korea
Best.Korea's avatar
Debates: 354
Posts: 10,534
4
6
10
Best.Korea's avatar
Best.Korea
4
6
10
-->
@zedvictor4
It is better if:

Every individual is possibly gay.
All people are individuals.
All people are possibly gay.

Or

All people are possibly gay.
All individuals are people.
All individuals are possibly gay.

54 days later

Sidewalker
Sidewalker's avatar
Debates: 8
Posts: 2,663
3
2
5
Sidewalker's avatar
Sidewalker
3
2
5
-->
@Best.Korea
Why the "categorical" modifier, aren't your  examples just "syllogisms"?
Best.Korea
Best.Korea's avatar
Debates: 354
Posts: 10,534
4
6
10
Best.Korea's avatar
Best.Korea
4
6
10
-->
@Sidewalker
Well there are three types of syllogisms.