Single Idea 18949

[catalogued under 4. Formal Logic / A. Syllogistic Logic / 2. Syllogistic Logic]

Full Idea

On its modern interpretation, the validity of the inference 'All S are M; All M are P; so All S are P' just expresses the transitivity of the relation 'subclass of'.

Gist of Idea

The universal syllogism is now expressed as the transitivity of subclasses

Source

Hilary Putnam (Philosophy of Logic [1971], Ch.1)

Book Reference

Putnam,Hilary: 'Philosophy of Logic' [Routledge 1972], p.5


A Reaction

A simple point I've never quite grasped. Since lots of syllogisms can be expressed as Venn Diagrams, in which the circles are just sets, it's kind of obvious really. So why does Sommers go back to 'terms'? See 'Term Logic'.