Polysyllogism

Not to be confused with Polylogism.

A polysyllogism (also called multi-premise syllogism, sorites, climax, or gradatio) is a string of any number of propositions forming together a sequence of syllogisms such that the conclusion of each syllogism, together with the next proposition, is a premise for the next, and so on. Each constituent syllogism is called a prosyllogism except the very last, because the conclusion of the last syllogism is not a premise for another syllogism. For example:

It is raining.

If we go out while it is raining we will get wet.

If we get wet, we will get cold.

Therefore, if we go out we will get cold.

Examination of the structure of the argument reveals the following sequence of constituent (pro)syllogisms:

It is raining.

If we go out while it is raining we will get wet.

Therefore, if we go out we will get wet.

If we go out we will get wet.

If we get wet, we will get cold.

Therefore, if we go out we will get cold.

A sorites is a specific kind of polysyllogism in which the predicate of each proposition is the subject of the next premise. Example:

All lions are big cats.

All big cats are predators.

All predators are carnivores.

Therefore, all lions are carnivores.

The word "sorites" ( /sɒˈraɪtiːz/) comes from Ancient Greek: σωρίτης "the fallacy of the heap", from σωρός "heap" or "pile". In other words, a sorites is a heap of propositions chained together.

Lewis Carroll uses sorites in his book Symbolic Logic. Here is an example [1]:

No experienced person is incompetent;

Jenkins is always blundering;

No competent person is always blundering.

∴ Jenkins is inexperienced.

Carroll's example may be translated thus

All experienced persons are competent persons.

No competent persons are blunderers.

Jenkins is a blunderer.

∴ Jenkins is not an experienced person.

References

• B. P. Bairan. An Introduction to Syllogistic Logic. Goodwill Trading. p. 342. ISBN 9715740944. 

This logic-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.v · Categories: Traditional logic Logic stubs Wikimedia Foundation. 2010. Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную? Morgan Creek Productions NFR-90 Look at other dictionaries: polysyllogism — |pälē, lə̇+ noun Etymology: poly + syllogism : a systematic series of syllogisms * * * polysyllogistic, adj. /pol ee sil euh jiz euhm/, n. Logic. an argument made up of a chain of syllogisms, the conclusion of each being a premise of the one… …   Useful english dictionary polysyllogism — polysyllogistic, adj. /pol ee sil euh jiz euhm/, n. Logic. an argument made up of a chain of syllogisms, the conclusion of each being a premise of the one following, until the last one. [1830 40; POLY + SYLLOGISM] * * * …   Universalium polysyllogism — poly·syllogism …   English syllables polysyllogism — /pɒliˈsɪlədʒɪzəm/ (say polee siluhjizuhm) noun a number of syllogisms arranged in a series, so that the conclusion of one (a prosyllogism) serves as the premise of another (an episyllogism) …   Sorites — may refer to:*Polysyllogism, a string of syllogisms *Sorites paradox, a special case of polysyllogism also referred to as the paradox of the heap …   Wikipedia episyllogism — /ep euh sil euh jiz euhm/, n. Logic. a syllogism one of the premises of which is the conclusion of a preceding syllogism; any of the syllogisms included in a polysyllogism except the first one. Cf. polysyllogism. [1855 60; < NL episyllogismus.… …   Universalium Outline of logic — The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to logic: Logic – formal science of using reason, considered a branch of both philosophy and mathematics. Logic investigates and classifies the structure of statements and… …   Wikipedia polysyllogistic — “+ adjective Etymology: polysyllogism + istic : of, relating to, or constituting a polysyllogism …   Useful english dictionary Syllogism — A syllogism (Greek: συλλογισμός – syllogismos – conclusion, inference ) is a kind of logical argument in which one proposition (the conclusion) is inferred from two or more others (the premises) of a certain form. In antiquity, there were… …   Wikipedia List of topics in logic — This is a list of topics in logic.See also: List of mathematical logic topicsAlphabetical listAAbacus logic Abduction (logic) Abductive validation Affine logic Affirming the antecedent Affirming the consequent Antecedent Antinomy Argument form… …   Wikipedia 18+ © Academic, 2000-2024 Contact us: Technical Support, Advertising Dictionaries export, created on PHP, Joomla, Drupal, WordPress, MODx. Mark and share Search through all dictionaries Translate… Search Internet Share the article and excerpts Direct link … Do a right-click on the link above and select “Copy Link”