Philosophy 6: Logic in Practice  

Pierce College

Department of History, Philosophy, & Sociology

 

 

 

Priming Exercise for Categorical and Hypothetical Syllogisms

 

 

 

On a sheet of paper, put today's date, your name, and your responses to the following prompts. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Categorical Syllogism

 

A) Guess whether or not the following argument is valid or invalid.  Write out a one sentence explanation for your guess. 

 

1) Some cats are smart. 

2) No smart things are dumb. 

3) Therefore, no cats are dumb (from 1 & 2). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hypothetical Syllogism

 

B) Guess whether or not the following argument is valid or invalid.  Write out a one sentence explanation for your guess. 

 

1) If you do not appreciate Rich Homie Quan, then you will suffer academically. 

2) You will suffer academically. 

3) Therefore, you do not appreciate Rich Homie Quan (from 1 & 2).