CHAPTER X
CATEGORICAL SYLLOGISMS
§ 1. The type of logical, deductive, mediate, categorical Inference is a Syllogism directly conformable with the Dictum: as—
All carnivores (M) are excitable (P);
Cats (S) are carnivores (M):
∴ Cats (S) are excitable (P).
In this example P is predicated of M, a term distributed; in which term, M, S is given as included; so that P may be predicated of S.
Many arguments, however, are of a type superficially different from the above: as—
No wise man (P) fears death (M);
Balbus (S) fears death (M):
∴ Balbus (S) is not a wise man (P).
In this example, instead of P being predicated of M, M is predicated of P, and yet S is given as included not in P, but in M. The divergence of such a syllogism from the Dictum may, however, be easily shown to be superficial by writing, instead of No wise man fears death, the simple, converse, No man who fears death is wise.