Enthymeme
An enthymeme (Greek: ἐνθύμημα, enthumēma), in its modern sense, is an informally stated syllogism (a three-part deductive argument) with an unstated assumption that must be true for the premises to lead to the conclusion. In an enthymeme, part of the argument is missing because it is assumed. In a broader usage, the term "enthymeme" is sometimes used to describe an incomplete argument of forms other than the syllogism,[1] or a less-than-100% argument.[2] For Aristotle, who defined it in his Rhetoric, an enthymeme was a "rhetorical syllogism" which was based on probable opinions, thus distinguishing it from a scientific syllogism. It is aimed at persuasion while scientific syllogism is aimed at demonstration.[3]
Order
There are three conventional orders of enthymemes. A first-order enthymeme suppresses the major premise. A second-order enthymeme suppresses the minor premise. A third-order enthymeme suppresses the conclusion. Other orders of enthymemes, in which 2 elements of the syllogism are suppressed, could be postulated.
Examples
Informal Syllogism
- "Socrates is mortal because he's human."
- The complete syllogism would be the classic:
- All humans are mortal. (major premise - assumed)
- Socrates is human. (minor premise - stated)
- Therefore, Socrates is mortal. (conclusion - stated)
See also
References
- ^ Audi, R. (ed.), The Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy - 2nd ed., pp. 257, 267. Cambridge University Press, 1999.
- ^ Klamer, Arjo (18 May 2007). "Is There Life after Samuelson's Economics? Changing the Textbooks" (PDF). Post-Autistic Economics Review (42). Post-autistic Economics Network: 2–7. Retrieved 2009-05-18.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Aristotle, Rhetoric, book I, 1 and 2
External links
