HW - Brief summary and example of the three ways of argumentaion

Syllogisms - Arguments that contains the major premise and the minor premise, which leads to the conclusion.

Major premise: All M are P.
Minor premise: All S are M.
Conclusion: All S are P.

ex) All pigs are flying creatures
All flying creatures can fly
Hence, pigs can fly.


Modus Ponens - Argumentation that takes form of the "If...then" statement. This method of argument works by assuming that if the premise is true, then condition x is true, and since the premise is true, condition x must be true as well.

If X is true then Y is true.
X is true.
Therefore Y is true

ex) If there are clouds in the sky, Justin will go cloud watching.
There are clouds in the sky
Hence, Justin will go cloud watching.


Modus Tollens - Argumentation that is similar to the modus ponens, but in an inverse way. It works by assuming that if the premise is true, then condition x is true. However, since condition x is not true, then the premise has to be not true as well.

If X is true then Y is true.
Y is false.
Therefore X is false.

ex) If you read the newspapers, you will be knowledgeable about current events
You are not knowledgeable about current events
Therefore, you don't read the newspapers