An argument containing two premises and a conclusion.
Categorical Syllogism.— A syllogism containing only categorical propositions. E.g.:
All men are mortal.
Socrates is a man.
Therefore, Socrates is mortal.
Hypothetical Syllogism (also called Compound Syllogism).— A syllogism whose major premise is a hypothetical proposition of some kind. Although some classical logicians have held that the hypothetical syllogism is reducible to categorical form, others have argued that hypothetical syllogisms represent a sui generis manner of articulating the relationship between propositions.
Conditional Syllogism.— A hypothetical syllogism whose first premise is standardly a conditional proposition. E.g.:
If the weather is poor, then it is unpleasant.
But the weather is poor.
Therefore, it is unpleasant.
Conjunctive Syllogism.— A hypothetical syllogism whose first premise is standardly a conjunctive proposition. N.B.: There is only one valid form of a conjunctive syllogism, and it begins with a negative conjunctive proposition. E.g.,
No train comes from Milan and arrives on time.
This train is coming from Milan.
Therefore, it will not arrive on time.
Disjunctive Syllogism.— A hypothetical syllogism whose first premise is standardly a disjunctive proposition. E.g.:
The economy is strong or it is weak.
But the economy is strong.
Therefore, it is not weak.
See also the entries for demonstration and inference.