by
Richard Nordquist
Updated September 24, 2018
In logic, a syllogism is a form of deductive reasoning consisting of a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion. Adjective: syllogistic. Also known as a categorical argument or a standard categorical syllogism. The term syllogism is from the Greek, "to infer, count, reckon"
Here is an example of a valid categorical syllogism:
Major premise: All mammals are warm-blooded.
Minor premise: All black dogs are mammals.
Conclusion: Therefore, all black dogs are warm-blooded.