8 Enthymeme

Enthymeme

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Types of Categorical Arguments
1.
Enthymeme (having less than 3 propositions)

2. Syllogism (having 3 propositions) 3. Sorites (having more than 3 propositions)

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Enthymeme Definition
• The incomplete form of argument having omitted premise or conclusion. e.g. Diamond is expensive, because it is rare.

• Enthymeme represents the general use of argument in natural language which is sometimes concise, unclear or even ambiguous.

Sometimes the speaker/writer of an enthymeme may assume that the listener/reader would understand the unspoken details, and it can be the case that the speaker/ writer wants to conceal some facts.

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How to check an enthymeme
To
check an enthymeme is to check its soundness. A sound enthymeme must conform with the criteria of being valid and true:

Criteria 1 (validity) the argument is valid.

The conclusion is derived from the premises. Criteria 2 (truth) each proposition is true.

Each proposition is the fact.

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Steps for checking an enthymeme
1.
Form an enthymeme as syllogism

-­‐ Transform the provided propositions.

“Diamond is expensive, because it is rare.”

-­‐ Set the syllogism.

Example Major Premise:

? (omitted) Minor Premise: All diamonds are rare objects. Conclusion:

All