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Definition:
The formal fallacy of illicit minor is committed in categorical syllogisms when the
minor term appears in the conclusion, but not in the minor premise. The technical form
is:
All P are Q
All P are X
Therefore, all Q are X
For example:
All cats are animals.
All cats are pets.
Therefore, all animals are pets.
One way to understand how the above is a fallacy is to notice that the syllogism does not state "All P and only P..." If the argument read "All cats and only cats..." in both premises, then the conclusion would follow. An argument is invalid if the conclusion is about every member of the minor term but the minor premise does not also refer to every member of the minor term.
Also Known As: Fallacy of Illicit Process of the Minor Term
Alternate Spellings: none
Common Misspellings: none
Related Resources:
What is the Logic and the Philosophy of Language?
The two fields Logic and the Philosophy of Language are often treated separately, but they are nevertheless close enough that they are presented together here. Logic is the study of methods of reasoning and argumentation, both proper and improper. The Philosophy of Language, on the other hand, involves the study of how our language interacts with our thinking.What is Philosophy?
What is philosophy? Is there any point in studying philosophy, or is it a useless subject? What are the different branches of philosophy - what's the difference between aestheitcs and ethics? What's the difference between metaphysics and epistemology?
