Truth and Falsity Part 2

We will concentrate mainly on Aristotle's concept of truth and falsity, namely, the Syllogism (as outlined in his Prior Analytics).  A Syllogism is defined as a three-part line of deductive reasoning that leads, logically, to a conclusion.  It is a line of reasoning that progresses from the known to the unknown according to specific laws of reasoning.  Aristotle's Syllogistic Logic is endlessly fascinating because it describes, in detail, the Basic Building Blocks of Valid Human Reasoning.   The whole of Western Rational Thought, including modern science, is based on Aristotle's brilliant discovery and description of the syllogism.   I will list the three most useful Syllogisms.

Basic Categorical Syllogism

All men are human.  (All A is B.)

Socrates is a man.  (C is A.)

Therefore, Socrates is human.  (Therefore, C is B.)


Either/Or Syllogism

Either Socrates is alive, or he is dead.  (Either A or B.)

Socrates is not alive.  (Not A.)

Therefore, Socrates is dead.  (Therefore B.)


If/Then Syllogism

If Socrates is a man, then he is human.  (If A then B.)

Socrates is a man.  (A.)

Therefore, Socrates is human.  (Therefore B.)


College textbooks on Logic can be very complex.  I have narrowed Logic down to these three because they seem to be both simple and useful.  Note: The first two sentences in a syllogism are called Premises.  The third sentence is called the Conclusion.  Note: A Valid syllogism is one that follows all of the rules of Aristotelian Syllogistic Logic.  An Invalid syllogism is one that violates one or more rules.  Note: It is extremely easy to unknowingly violate one or more rules of Logic.


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