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Chapter 6.6: Enthymemes

Chapter 6.6: Enthymemes. ‘ Enthymeme ’ defined. Enthymemes (fr. Gk. “ to infer, ” lit. en + thymos “ [held] in the mind ” ) are essentially syllogisms with an implicit (unstated) proposition that is, literally, “ held in the mind ” rather than being expressed.

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Chapter 6.6: Enthymemes

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  1. Chapter 6.6: Enthymemes

  2. ‘Enthymeme’ defined • Enthymemes (fr. Gk. “to infer,” lit. en + thymos“[held] in the mind”) are essentially syllogisms with an implicit (unstated) proposition that is, literally, “held in the mind” rather than being expressed. • Goal is to supply the missing proposition and check for validity. Know your memes!

  3. ‘Enthymeme’ justified • Arguers use enthymemes for two reasons: • The missing element is too obvious to state without insulting the audience, in which case supplying it is usually elementary. • The missing proposition is incapable of producing a valid or sound argument--a fact of which the arguer may or may not be aware--in which case supplying it may be more difficult, even impossible.

  4. ‘Enthymeme’ explained If you cannot supply the missing proposition intuitively, you may find this procedure helpful: • If the argument is in everyday language, translate the everyday language into categorical propositions. • This may actually be the most difficult step. • Be intellectually fair and charitable. • As far as possible, arrange the propositions you have into standard syllogistic form. • If necessary, use the processes of categorical equivalence to unify non-matching (complementary) terms in the simplest possible configuration.

  5. ‘Enthymeme’ explained • Relying on your knowledge of canons, formal fallacies, and the 15 valid argument forms, produce a valid 3-proposition, 3-term syllogism from the two extant propositions. • The missing premise will contain the two terms that are used only once in each of the other propositions. • If a conclusion is negative or particular, exactly one of the propositions must be negative or particular, and vice versa. • Recall that the conclusion’s predicate term will appear in the major premise, and the subject term will appear in the minor premise.

  6. ‘Enthymeme’ explained • If you must choose between a true proposition and a valid argument, err on the side of a valid argument--leave truth to the theologians. • If no acceptable third proposition is possible, the supposed syllogism is invalid. No valid syllogism can be constructed under any circumstances.

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