Categorical Syllogism: Significance to Debate and Some Applications
Categorical syllogism, for one thing, provides us a conclusive yardstick in distinguishing correct from incorrect reasoning. For instance, a debater may submit an argument which virtually amounts to this:
All politicians are people who want power.
All politicians are popular persons.
Therefore, all popular persons are people who want power.
For some, it may be difficult to assess the validity of this argument especially at first glance. But having learned categorical syllogism, we know that this argument has the form AAA-3. This syllogistic form is not among the list of valid forms, hence is certainly invalid. The invalidity of this argument is perfectly the same as the incorrectness of the following syllogism with the same form AAA-3:
All Dalmatians are dogs.
All Dalmatians are mammals.
Therefore, all mammals are dogs.
This argument is obviously erroneous. And since its form is identical with that of the argument about ‘popular persons,’ then both are not valid. This method of demonstrating the invalidity of syllogisms we call logical analogy is useful in many contexts and can be appreciated even by those who have not undergone formal training in Logic.
As a way of improving your reasoning skill, you may also try to provide example for each of the valid forms we have listed above. For Barbara (AAA-1) for instance, we can submit this example:
All God’s laws are just decrees.
Respecting one’s parents is God’s law.
Therefore, respecting one’s parents is a just decree.
If you are a debater (or a writer or a public speaker) and you wish to make a persuasive speech (or an essay or a piece), the valid forms of categorical syllogism can serve as your outline. For example, if your topic is about the value of respecting parents, you may use our example as your framework. You may center the first part of the piece on the first premise by mentioning God’s laws which are unquestionably righteous. In the middle part, you may zero in on proving the second premise, perhaps by quoting verses from Holy Scriptures. The last part may be devoted to stressing the conclusion and perhaps stating the benefits of obeying God’s command on respecting parents.
Also Check Out:
Reasoning and Debate: A Handbook and a Textbook by Jensen DG. Mañebog
INTERACTIVE ONLINE ACTIVITY
Go online to www.OurHappySchool.com. Through its search engine (upper right section), look for the article “On Mandatory Drug Testing in School: Are you in Favor or Not?” Join the online debate by leaving a sensible comment. Ask at least three friends (not from your school) to leave a reply on your comment. Print your comment together with your friends’ replies. Submit the print out to your professor.
SUPPLEMENTARY ONLINE READING
Through www.OurHappySchool.com’s search engine (upper right corner), look for the article “Notes on Categorical Syllogism.” Read the article. Evaluate how much you learned by answering the ‘Sample Quiz’ below the lecture.