Logos & The Syllogism
What does the Greek word "logos" mean?
"word"
What is an enthymeme?
a syllogism with one of the premises or the conclusion missing
Between rhetoric and dialectic, which one investigates definitions and which one is fine assuming common definitions without investigation?
Rhetoric: assumes definitions
Dialectic: investigates definitions
What is one of the three definitions of logos?
the reason that can be given form by words
an ordering of our own thinking through the patterned forms of thought that words make known
the argument itself
Enthymeme comes from the Greek words "en" and "thumos." What does this translate to in English?
"in the mind" or "in the spirit"
What's the assumed proposition in the following enthymeme:
All humans are mortal, so I am mortal.
I am a human
What is a syllogism?
an argument that uses two given propositions (premises) to logically prove a third proposition (the conclusion)
Why does Aristotle recommend using enthymemes in rhetoric as opposed to syllogisms? (2 reasons)
they are shorter and easier to follow
(if done well) they appeal to the principles or beliefs the audience already agrees to
What's the assumed proposition in the following enthymeme:
Abortion hurts innocent people, so it is morally wrong.
A things that hurt innocent people are morally wrong.
If something hurts innocent people, it is morally wrong.
What are the three types of syllogisms/enthymemes we discussed?
categorical
hypothetical
disjunctive
What can people think if you use enthymemes poorly?
If you use enthymemes poorly (making bad assumptions), people will think that you are hiding your argument or trying to get away with faulty reasoning.
I don't need to learn English; I'm not going to England!
(adapted from Homer Simpson)
All (only) people that need to learn English are people goingto/living in England.
If someone learns English, then they are traveling to/living in England.
How do you tell the difference between categorical, hypothetical, and disjunctive syllogisms?
categorical: all, no, some, some...not...
hypothetical: if...then...
disjunctive: either...or...
How do you make sure that the assumptions you make in a speech are "good" assumptions? (two criteria)
Based in reason
Believed by the audience
What's the assumed proposition in the following enthymeme:
All nations secure their borders, and America is the best nation in the world!
(adapted from Ronald Reagan)
America should secure its borders.
America secures its borders.