There are two other possible forms of mixed hypothetical
syllogism, both of them invalid:
DENYING THE ANTECEDENT
|
If p, then q. |
If my car is out of gas, it will stop running. |
Not-p.
|
My car is not out of gas.
|
Therefore, not-q. |
Therefore, it will not stop running. |
AFFIRMING THE CONSEQUENT
|
If p, then q. |
If my car is out of gas, it will stop running. |
q.
|
My car stopped running.
|
|
Therefore, p. |
Therefore, it is out of gas.. |
In each case, the hypothetical premise says that being out of gas
is sufficient to make my car stop running. Both arguments assume,
however, that being out of gas is the only thing that can do so.
That is not true, of course, and it is not implied by the
hypothetical premise. Suppose I have a full tank but my battery
is dead. That would make the premises of both arguments true, but
the conclusion in each case would be false.
A valid deductive argument cannot have true premises and a false
conclusion.