# syllogism # References / Links Refer to non-Aristotelian logic developed in [General Semantics]. --- # syllogism a form of reasoning in which a conclusion is deduced from a major and minor premise. ------------ A three-part process of deductive reasoning consisting of (1) major premise (usually a general rule), (2) minor premise (usually an individual case employing one term appearing in the major premise) and (3) a conclusion which must follow if both the major and minor premises are true (usually the substitution of the new term of the minor premise in the major premise in place of the term common to both premises). Example: Major premise: All dogs are animals Minor premise: Betsy is a dog Conclusion: Betsy is an animal. --- > Dictionary definition: # syllogism (def) ========= [noun](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/noun) ------------------------------------------------------- syl·​lo·​gism [ˈsi-lə-ˌji-zəm How to pronounce syllogism (audio)](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/syllogism?pronunciation&lang=en_us&dir=s&file=syllog01) [Synonyms of _syllogism_next](https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/syllogism) 1 **:** a deductive scheme of a formal argument consisting of a major and a minor premise and a conclusion (as in "every virtue is laudable; kindness is a virtue; therefore kindness is laudable") 2 **:** a subtle, specious, or crafty argument 3 **:** deductive reasoning syllogistic [ˌsi-lə-ˈji-stik How to pronounce syllogism (audio)](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/syllogism?pronunciation&lang=en_us&dir=s&file=syllog02) adjective syllogistically [ˌsi-lə-ˈji-sti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce syllogism (audio)](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/syllogism?pronunciation&lang=en_us&dir=s&file=syllog03) adverb Clipped from [Syllogism Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/syllogism) at 2023-06-10.