📝 FIELD MANUAL: The Syllogism
The Concept
Logic is not magic. It is engineering. Just like a building needs a solid foundation, an argument needs a solid Syllogism.
A syllogism is a form of deductive argument in which a conclusion is drawn from two premises, typically called the major premise and the minor premise, such that if the premises are true and the structure is valid, the conclusion must also be true
A Syllogism is a three-part structure that acts as the “Atom of Truth.” If the structure is broken, the argument is false—no matter how convincing it sounds.
The Formula
Premise A + Premise B = Conclusion
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Premise A (The Rule): All humans are mortal.
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Premise B (The Case): Socrates is a human.
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Conclusion (The Result): Therefore, Socrates is mortal.
If A is true, and B is true, the Conclusion MUST be true. There is no escape.
⚠️ THE TRAP: The Undistributed Middle
Also known as: “The Guilt by Association Hack”
This is the most common way news headlines, politicians, and internet trolls trick you. They take two things that share one trait and pretend they are the same thing.
The Broken Formula:
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Premise A: All [Bad People] do [X].
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Premise B: [Person You Don’t Like] does [X].
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Conclusion: Therefore, [Person You Don’t Like] is a [Bad Person].
Why it fails: Let’s test it with something obvious:
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Premise A: All Bank Robbers drink Water.
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Premise B: Your Grandmother drinks Water.
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Conclusion: Therefore, Your Grandmother is a Bank Robber.
The Verdict: Just because two groups share a habit (drinking water, protesting, wanting lower taxes), does not mean they are the same group.
** Elite Analyst Tip:** Whenever you see a headline linking two groups (“Protesters Linked to Rioters!”), ask yourself: “Are they linked by a crime, or just by the water?”
⚔️ DRILL: Spot the Flaw
Test your skills. Which of these arguments is VALID and which is TRASH?
Case File #1:
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“All corrupt politicians take private jets. Senator Smith takes private jets. Therefore, Senator Smith is corrupt.”
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Verdict: [ TRASH 🗑️ ]
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Why? Plenty of honest people (and CEOs, and actors) take private jets. This is the Undistributed Middle.
Case File #2:
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“To be President, you must be at least 35. John is 30. Therefore, John cannot be President.”
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Verdict: [ VALID ✅ ]
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Why? The rule is absolute. If you fail Premise A, the Conclusion is automatic.
Case File #3:
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” Dangerous dogs bark. Fido is barking. Therefore, Fido is dangerous.”
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Verdict: [ TRASH 🗑️ ]
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Why? Poodles bark. Puppies bark. Barking is not exclusive to dangerous dogs.
Action Item
For the next 24 hours, your mission is to find one news headline or tweet that commits the Undistributed Middle fallacy. (Hint: Look for headlines that say “Linked To” or “Associated With” instead of “Did.”)