minor premise

Thân thiện

A student writes a minor premise on a whiteboard during a logic lesson.

Definition

Noun: - The premise of a syllogism that contains the minor term: In formal logic, a syllogism is a three-part argument with two premises and a conclusion. The minor premise is the statement that contains the minor term. The minor term is the subject of the conclusion of the syllogism.

Examples

• Noun:
  • In the syllogism "All humans are mortal; Socrates is a human; therefore, Socrates is mortal," the statement "Socrates is a human" is the minor premise.
  • To test the validity of the argument, you must examine both the major and the minor premise.

Advanced Usage

• Role in Categorical Syllogisms: The minor premise, together with the major premise, allows one to deduce the conclusion. It typically states that a specific case (the minor term) belongs to the category established in the major premise.
  • The minor premise links the specific instance to the general rule.

Variants and Related Words

• Minor term (n): The subject of the conclusion, which also appears in the minor premise.
  • In the example, "Socrates" is the minor term.
• Major premise (n): The premise of a syllogism that contains the major term (the predicate of the conclusion).
• Syllogism (n): A form of reasoning in which a conclusion is drawn from two given or assumed propositions (premises).

Synonyms

• Subsumptive premise: A less common term indicating the premise that subsumes the minor term under the major term.
• Second premise: In the standard order of a syllogism, it is often listed as the second statement.

Related Phrases

• To establish the minor premise: To provide evidence or acceptance for the truth of the minor premise in an argument.
  • The debater's first task was to establish the minor premise that the event actually occurred.

Học thuật

Noun

1. the premise of a syllogism that contains the minor term (which is the subject of the conclusion)

Từ đồng nghĩa

• minor premiss
• subsumption