Syllogism
in logic, the regular form of reasoning in which two premof reasoning in which two prem- Example: ises lead necessarily to a conclusion.
Major Premise. All ruminants are quadrupeds.
Minor Premise. All deer are ruminants.
This syllogism is valid, because the con- Conclusion... All deer are quadrupeds clusion logically follows from the prem- . The conclusion is, moreover, true, because the premises from which it logfollows are true. the conclusion logically follows from the A syllogism is said to be valid when premises; if the conclusion does not so follow, the syllogism is invalid and constitutes a fallacy, if the error deceives the reasoner himself; but if it is adothers, it constitutes a sophism. vanced with the intention of deceiving the Paracelsists, the elemental spirits of