syllogism /sil'oh-jiz`*m/ <logic> Deductive reasoning in which a conclusion is derived from two premises. The conclusion necessarily follows from the premises so that, if these are true, the conclusion must be true, and the syllogism amounts to demonstration. To put it another way, the premises imply the conclusion.
For example, every virtue is laudable; kindness is a virtue; therefore kindness is laudable. Strangely, a syllogism can still be true if the premises are false. Compare inference rule. [Relationship between premises?] Last updated: 2009-10-28
