-ˌjizəm noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English silogisme, from Middle French, from Latin syllogismus, from Greek syllogismos, from syllogizesthai to infer, syllogize, from syn- + logizesthai to calculate — more at antilogism
1. : a deductive logical scheme or analysis of a formal argument that consists of a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion and that may be used either to prove a conclusion by showing that it follows from known premises or to test the truth of premises by showing what follows from them (as in “every virtue is laudable; kindness is a virtue; therefore kindness is laudable”) — compare figure table
2. : explication of the relations of ideas especially in accordance with syllogistic principles : deductive method
a man knows first, and then he is able to prove syllogistically; so that syllogism comes after knowledge — John Locke
— compare induction 2
3. : a subtle, specious, or crafty argument, piece of reasoning, or method of attaining one's end
blithely accepts the perilous syllogism that the end justifies the means — C.B.Davis