Answer:
Determining validity of Categorical Syllogisms
There are two ways to determine whether a categorical syllogism is valid or invalid. One is to draw a picture of the premises using Venn diagrams (three overlapping circles: one for each category). If the conclusion shows up as a result of drawing the premises, then we know the argument is valid, because that means that the conclusion results necessarily from the premises. The other method is to check the form against a set of rules.
Step-by-step explanation:
Venn Diagrams
When we analyze a categorical syllogism with Venn diagrams, we need three overlapping circles. Each circle represents one of the three terms (the Major, the Minor, and the Middle). The diagrams here are all labeled in terms of S, P, and M: “S” is the minor term (the Subject of the conclusion); “P” is the major term (the Predicate of the conclusion); and “M” is the middle term (the term occurring only in the premises). For the sake of being able to talk about the diagrams, I always put them in the same order: the left hand circle is the Minor term, the right hand circle is the Major term, and the circle below them is the Middle term. Then I number the segments starting from the top left. Make sure you follow this convention if you want to be able to communicate with me about where the shading and x’s should go in your diagrams.
