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A '''syllogism''' is a [[logic]]al [[argument]] that necessarily follows if two [[premise]]s are true.

A '''syllogism''' is a [[logic]]al [[argument]] that necessarily follows if two [[premise]]s are true.

"All cats are mammals."

:"All cats are mammals."

"Fluffy is a cat."  

:"Fluffy is a cat."  

Therefore

:Therefore

Fluffy is a mammal.

:Fluffy is a mammal.

As [[linguistic]] tools, syllogisms are built from category words such as "all" "none" "some".

As [[linguistic]] tools, syllogisms are built from category words such as "all" "none" "some".

"No conservative voted for Obama"

:"No conservative voted for Obama"

"Andy is a conservative"

:"Andy is a conservative"

therefore, "Andy did not vote for Obama".

:therefore,  

:"Andy did not vote for Obama".

One has to be careful, however, what categories are applied and assumed.

One has to be careful, however, what categories are applied and assumed.

"No conservative voted for Obama"

:"No conservative voted for Obama"

"John did not vote for Obama"

:"John did not vote for Obama"

Therefore

:Therefore

"John is a conservative."  is an example of an incorrect syllogism, as the exclusive category "no Conservative" does not rule out other people not voting for Obama.

:"John is a conservative."  is an example of an incorrect syllogism, as the exclusive category "no Conservative" does not rule out other people not voting for Obama.

[[Category: Logic]]

[[Category: Logic]]