Question

Write 4 sentences that describe the general structure of an Aristotelian argument.

Answer 1

An Aristotelian (syllogistic) argument has three categorical propositions: two premises and a conclusion, and uses exactly three terms. The major premise pairs the major term (the predicate of the conclusion) with the middle term, while the minor premise pairs the minor term (the subject of the conclusion) with the middle term. The middle term links the premises but does not appear in the conclusion, so if the premises are true and the syllogistic form is valid the conclusion follows necessarily. Whether the conclusion is true depends both on that valid form (mood and figure) and on the actual truth of the premises.