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| glossary:syllogism [03.02.26, 09:46:41] – [Classification of statements] sascha | glossary:syllogism [03.02.26, 09:47:55] (current) – [Errors of Distributivity] sascha |
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| This usually occurs when one of the terms is used in two different meanings (<span maniculus "see:">[[glossary:equivocation:index|equivocation]]</span>) or referring to different [[glossary:extension|extensions]] of the term. This is most often seen in relation to the //middle term//, which, when it refers to two different meanings, leads to the fallacy of the [[logic:formal_fallacies:four-term_fallacy:ambiguous_middle|ambiguous middle]], a variant of the aforementioned "four-term fallacy". | This usually occurs when one of the terms is used in two different meanings (<span maniculus "see:">[[glossary:equivocation:index|equivocation]]</span>) or referring to different [[glossary:extension|extensions]] of the term. This is most often seen in relation to the //middle term//, which, when it refers to two different meanings, leads to the fallacy of the [[logic:formal_fallacies:four-term_fallacy:ambiguous_middle|ambiguous middle]], a variant of the aforementioned "four-term fallacy". |
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| ==== Errors of Distributivity ==== | ==== Fallacies of Distribution ==== |
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| The term "[[glossary:distribution|distributivity]]" describes whether an expression refers to the whole or to a part of the extension set. Obviously, one cannot draw a conclusion that refers (directly or indirectly) to the total from a statement that refers to a subset. More on this in <span maniculus "see:">[[logic:formal_fallacies:fallacies_of_distribution:index|fallacies of distribution]]</span>. | The term “[[glossary:distribution|distribution]]” describes whether an expression refers to the whole or to a part of the extension set. Obviously, one cannot draw a conclusion that refers (directly or indirectly) to the total from a statement that refers to a subset. More on this in <span maniculus "see:">[[logic:formal_fallacies:fallacies_of_distribution:index|fallacies of distribution]]</span>. |
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| The //middle// term must appear in at least one premise in a distributed position (e.g. in an 'A' form as the //subject//). A syllogism in which this does not happen is called a "[[logic:formal_fallacies:fallacies_of_distribution:undistributed_middle|fallacy of the undistributed middle]]". | The //middle// term must appear in at least one premise in a distributed position (e.g. in an ''A'' form as the //subject//). A syllogism in which this does not happen is called a “[[logic:formal_fallacies:fallacies_of_distribution:undistributed_middle|fallacy of the undistributed middle]]”. |
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| Similarly, the principle applies that a term that is distributed in the //conclusion// must also be in a distributed position in its premise (either the major or minor). Traditionally, a distinction is made here between undistributed //majors// and //minors//, but for simplicity these are both described here under "[[logic:formal_fallacies:fallacies_of_distribution:illicit_process|illicit process]]". | Similarly, the principle applies that a term that is distributed in the //conclusion// must also be in a distributed position in its premise (either the major or minor). Traditionally, a distinction is made here between undistributed //majors// and //minors//, but for simplicity these are both described here under “[[logic:formal_fallacies:fallacies_of_distribution:illicit_process|illicit process]]”. |
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| ==== Existential requirement ==== | ==== Existential requirement ==== |
