Structure of a Categorial Syllogism- The Figure - The position of the middle term in the premises is called the figure of the syllogism. Because there are two premises, and two possible positions in each premise, there are four figures. They are identified by number as follows: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Major M P P M M P P M Minor S M S M M S M S Conclusion S P S P S P S P Within each figure, the premises and the conclusion can have any of the standard forms for categorical propositions. That is, within each figure, a syllogism can have any mood. Comprehension Questions 1. The figure of a categorical syllogism is determined by the position of which term? a) the major term b) the minor term c) the middle term 2. In which figure of a categorical syllogism is the middle term the subject of the major and the predicate of the minor? a) first figure b) second figure c) third figure d) fourth figure 3. In which figure of a categorical syllogism is the middle term the subject of both the major and the minor premises? a) first figure b) second figure c) third figure d) fourth figure 4. In which figure of a categorical syllogism is the middle term the predicate of both the major and the minor premises? a) first figure b) second figure c) third figure d) fourth figure 5. In which figure of a categorical syllogism is the middle term the predicate of the major and the subject of the minor? a) first figure b) second figure c) third figure d) fourth figure 6. What is the figure of the following categorical syllogism?No horned animal is a predatorAll moose are horned animalsNo moose is a predator a) first figure b) second figure c) third figure d) fourth figure 7. What is the figure of the following categorical syllogism?All of Shakespeare's dramas are in blank verse Some great plays are in blank verseSome great plays are Shakespeare's dramas a) first figure b) second figure c) third figure d) fourth figure 8. What is the figure of the following categorical syllogism?No Marxist advocates private propertyAll conservatives advocate private propertyNo conservative is a Marxist a) first figure b) second figure c) third figure d) fourth figure 9. What is the figure of the following categorical syllogism?All mammals are animals that breathe by means of lungs All whales are mammalsAll whales are animals that breathe by means of lungs a) first figure b) second figure c) third figure d) fourth figure 10. What is the figure of the following categorical syllogism?Some crimes against property are fraud All frauds are feloniesSome felonies are crimes against property a) first figure b) second figure c) third figure d) fourth figure 11. What is the figure of the following categorical syllogism?All cars are designed for personal transportation All cars are motor vehiclesSome motor vehicles are designed for personal transportation a) first figure b) second figure c) third figure d) fourth figure The Mood | The Figure Assessment of Categorial Syllogisms by Rules © Copyright 1998, W.W. Norton & Co.
Within each figure, the premises and the conclusion can have any of the standard forms for categorical propositions. That is, within each figure, a syllogism can have any mood.
No horned animal is a predatorAll moose are horned animalsNo moose is a predator
All of Shakespeare's dramas are in blank verse Some great plays are in blank verseSome great plays are Shakespeare's dramas
No Marxist advocates private propertyAll conservatives advocate private propertyNo conservative is a Marxist
All mammals are animals that breathe by means of lungs All whales are mammalsAll whales are animals that breathe by means of lungs
Some crimes against property are fraud All frauds are feloniesSome felonies are crimes against property
All cars are designed for personal transportation All cars are motor vehiclesSome motor vehicles are designed for personal transportation