Syllogism
noun /ˈsɪlədʒɪz(ə)m/ — A three-step argument where truth flows inevitably to a conclusion.
Definition
A form of reasoning in which a conclusion is drawn from two given premises; the classic structure of deductive logic.
Beyond the definition
The syllogism is logic made visible. All humans are mortal. Socrates is human. Therefore Socrates is mortal. Once you know the structure, you see it everywhere — in arguments, court cases, every 'therefore' and 'because'. Understanding it makes you a sharper thinker and a harder person to mislead.
Origin & history
From Greek syllogismos — 'a reckoning together', from syllogizesthai 'to reckon together'. Developed by Aristotle as the fundamental building block of formal logic.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
His argument was structured as a syllogism — it sounded valid, but the first premise was false.
Learning to spot a faulty syllogism is one of the most practical skills in critical thinking.
The prosecutor built the case on a syllogism so clean it left no room for reasonable doubt.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Syllogism” when the meaning fits your context: A form of reasoning in which a conclusion is drawn from two given premises; the classic structure of deductive logic.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
Syllogism vs argument
A syllogism is a rigid, formal logical structure consisting of a major premise, minor premise, and conclusion. An argument is any expression of reasons used to persuade, often lacking formal logical proof.
Word in the Wild
Illustrative story: an imagined scene, not a documented event or interview.
All humans are mortal. Socrates is human. Therefore Socrates is mortal.
The syllogism is the ancient skeleton of a logical argument — two premises that yield a conclusion. It looks airtight. And it is, as long as the premises are true.
The students who understood it best were the ones who used it to find the flaw in their own arguments first. The logic is a tool. The premises are where the work is.
Questions about this word
What does "Syllogism" mean?
Syllogism is noun meaning: A three-step argument where truth flows inevitably to a conclusion.. A form of reasoning in which a conclusion is drawn from two given premises; the classic structure of deductive logic.
Where does the word "Syllogism" come from?
From Greek syllogismos — 'a reckoning together', from syllogizesthai 'to reckon together'. Developed by Aristotle as the fundamental building block of formal logic.