Posted on 07/18/2013 6:22:40 AM PDT by secret garden
In order that we might all raise the level of discourse and expand our language abilities, here is the daily post of "Word for the Day".
syllogism\SIL-uh-jiz-um\ noun
1. a deductive scheme of a formal argument consisting of a major and a minor premise and a conclusion
2. a subtle, specious, or crafty argument
3. deductive reasoning
Example sentences:
Kelly could not prove it, but she suspected that her opponent's arguments were a series of sneaky syllogisms based on dubious "facts."
"She learned to read [Thomas] Aquinas in the original, mastered the syllogism, pursued Socratism, then took that highly classical background with her to Dominican University in River Forest, Ill., where she graduated with a master’s degree in library and information science."
— From an article by Kevin Nevers in theChesterton Tribune (Indiana), May 8, 2013
Etymology:
For those trained in formal argument, the syllogism is a classical form of deduction. One example is the inference that "kindness is praiseworthy" from the premises "every virtue is praiseworthy" and "kindness is a virtue." "Syllogism" came to English through Anglo-French from Latin "syllogismus," which in turn can be traced back through Greek to the verb "syllogizesthai," meaning "to infer." In Greek "logizesthai" means "to calculate" and derives from "logos," meaning "word" or "reckoning." "Syl-" comes from "syn-," meaning "with" or "together."
The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day. The Review threads are linked for your edification. ;-)
Practice makes perfect.....post on....
Review Thread One: Word For The Day, Thursday 11/14/02: Raffish
Review Thread Two: Word For The Day, Tuesday 1/14/03: Roister
Review Thread Three: Word For The Day, Tuesday 1/28/03: Obdurate
WFB's attempt to emulate us ; ) No pushing at the door please!
Rise and shine! I’m off to the vet.
‘bout time. ;-)
http://triblive.com/news/allegheny/4314093-74/demolitions-homes-demolition#axzz2ZP6SS1g0
Meanwhile, the professional victim class in Pittsburgh is complaining that the city is demolishing too many abandoned homes in black neighborhoods.
Cause they’d rather live next to a firetrap crack house, apparently?!
No syllogisms in the prosecution’s case against George Zimmerman. Their case did not hold together, nor did it reach the conclusion that they wanted.
I took an excellent course in Formal Logic in college, taught by Dr. Leonard Peikoff, a close associate of Ayn Rand. The syllogism was the lynchpin of the syllabus. The format is Major Premise, Minor Premise, Conclusion. If the two premises are true, the conclusion must be true, as in:
Everyone connected to the Obama administration is a liar.
Jay Carney is connected to the Obama administration.
Therefore, Jay Carney is a liar.
I recall that the NEGATIVE may or may not be true:
(Here’s a case where it’s not true:)
Everyone connected to the Obama administration is a liar.
Bill Clinton is not connected to the Obama administration.
Therefore, Bill Clinton is not a liar.
(Here’s a case where it is true:)
Everyone connected to the Obama administration is a liar.
Mother Theresa is not connected to the Obama administration.
Therefore, Mother Theresa is not a liar.
The CONVERSE also may or may not be true:
(Here, it is true)
Everyone connected to the Obama administration is a liar.
Jay Carney is a liar.
Therefore, Jay Carney is connected to the Obama administration.
(Here, it is false)
Everyone connected to the Obama administration is a liar.
Bill Clinton is a liar.
Therefore, Bill Clinton is connected to the Obama administration.
One thing I recall fairly well is that the CONTRAPOSITIVE is always true (assuming the original syllogism is true.)
Thus:
Everyone connected to the Obama administration is a liar.
George Washington is not a liar.
Therefore, George Washington is not connected to the Obama administration
Correct. People often want the converse to be true, but that is not logically so.
We had the most amazing experience last night. When we got home from work and sat down for dinner, I spotted an enormous owl sitting on the upper cross bar of my garden swing. We’ve lived here 27 years. Although I’ve occasionally heard an owl, I’ve never seen one before.
I think this was a Great Horned Owl, although I’m not really sure.
He patiently sat there for a full 45 minutes (perhaps longer because he was already there when I first noticed him). He just was looking around — probably for small animals for a snack.
Then, suddenly, he spread his wings and flew swiftly and silently away. He went behind the barn, so I don’t know if he caught anything, but we have lots of rabbits, voles, and mice running arond.
He was awesome!
Busy day; conference call at 8:00am, meetings until 6:00pm, then off to the sperm bank to syllogism.
Lmao!!
That solves the mystery. Clearly, it was a spotted owl. :)
I was hoping that my memory was intact. I took the course in 1968.
A deductive argument can be valid or invalid. If it is valid and both premises are true, then the conclusion is true and the argument is sound. If it is invalid, it is unsound. If it is valid, but has a false premise, it is unsound.
An example of a valid hypothetical argument would be:
If A, then B
A
Therefore, B
Another would be:
If A, then B
Not B
Therefore, not A
Many people have a hard time with the second example, which is “modus tollens” meaning “denying the consequent”
I just knew somebody would pick up on that! But I dn’t think anyone has ever seen a spotted owl. LOL They are really shy.
All I can think is that WE Energies was here yesterday installing new electric poles along the side of my property. To do so, they tore out a lot of trees and brush and ran big trucks and compressors all day. This might have disrupted this owl’s usual roost.
I just knew somebody would pick up on that! But I dn’t think anyone has ever seen a spotted owl. LOL They are really shy.
All I can think is that WE Energies was here yesterday installing new electric poles along the side of my property. To do so, they tore out a lot of trees and brush and ran big trucks and compressors all day. This might have disrupted this owl’s usual roost.
It’s interesting to note what’s showing up around here, now that I no longer have a dog.
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