Which term refers to a line of reasoning formed by two premises and a conclusion?

Which term refers to a line of reasoning formed by two premises and a conclusion?

• A. Strategy
• B. Tragedy
• C. Syllogism
• D. Thesis

Answer: (C)

A line of reasoning formed by two premises and a conclusion is called a syllogism. In a syllogism you start with two statements that set up a general rule and a specific case, and you deduce a conclusion that must be true if the premises are true and the form is valid. For example: All humans are mortal. Socrates is a human. Therefore, Socrates is mortal. This shows two premises leading to a single conclusion, which is the essence of deductive reasoning in a syllogism. The other terms describe different ideas: a strategy is a plan of action; a tragedy is a dramatic genre; and a thesis is a claim to be argued, not a strict two-premise deduction.

A line of reasoning formed by two premises and a conclusion is called a syllogism. In a syllogism you start with two statements that set up a general rule and a specific case, and you deduce a conclusion that must be true if the premises are true and the form is valid. For example: All humans are mortal. Socrates is a human. Therefore, Socrates is mortal. This shows two premises leading to a single conclusion, which is the essence of deductive reasoning in a syllogism. The other terms describe different ideas: a strategy is a plan of action; a tragedy is a dramatic genre; and a thesis is a claim to be argued, not a strict two-premise deduction.