SYL L OGIS TIC REASONING

SYLLOGISTICREASONING

SYLLOGISTICREASONING

PART 1Aristotle’s ‘BARBARA’

formula

PART 1Aristotle’s ‘BARBARA’

formula

How to answer betterany question

How to answer betterany question

In 4 easy steps …In 4 easy steps …

‘why’

Step 1Turn the question into a

conclusion

Step 1Turn the question into a

conclusion

Why S is P?Skip 2 lines and write…

Why S is P?Skip 2 lines and write…

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Thus, S is P

Step 2Identify subject & predicate

Step 2Identify subject & predicate

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Thus, S is P

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Thus, S is P

SUBJECT PREDICATE

Step 3Apply the ‘Barbara’ syllogism

formula

Step 3Apply the ‘Barbara’ syllogism

formula

Thus, S is P

And if S is ?

If ? is PMajor Premise:

Minor Premise:

Step 4Find the Middle term…

Step 4Find the Middle term…

Thus, S is P

If M is P

And if S is M

S PTheology… …is hard

Why?

God

The missing puzzle piece

In syllogistic form…In syllogistic form…

Thus, Theology is hard to understand

If God is hard to understand

And if Theology is about God

Why is Theology hard to understand ?

The missing link

S P

Love…

Why?

…is sacredGod

Because whatever is of God is sacred, and since love is the very substance of God, thus, love itself is to be

regarded as sacred.

Some practice…Some practice…

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Thus, Catholic morality is objective

Why is Catholic morality objective?

Step 1

Step 2

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Thus, Catholic morality is objective

S P

Step 3

Thus, Catholic morality is objective

And if Catholic morality is ----------------

If ---------------- is objective

Step 4

Thus, Catholic morality is objective

And if Catholic morality teaches universal laws

If a universal law is objective

More practice…More practice…

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Thus, happiness requires God

Why does happiness require God?

Step 1

Step 2

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Thus, happiness requires God

S P

Step 3

Thus, happiness requires God

And if happiness ----------------

If ---------------- requires God

Step 4

Thus, happiness requires God

And if happiness is an absolute perfection

If absolute perfection requires God