HYPOTHETICAL SYLLOGISMSHYPOTHETICAL SYLLOGISM is an argument whose major premise is made up of a hypothetical proposition and whose minor premise and conclusion are categorical propositions. Hypothetical syllogisms are either CONDITIONAL, DISJUNCTIVE, or CONJUNCTIVE ARGUMENTS.THE CONDITIONAL SYLLOGISMThe major premise of a conditional syllogism is a conditional proposition consisting of an antecedent and a consequent. The antecedent is what serves as the cause, while the consequent is what follows as an effect.Example: If it rains, then the ground will be wet.(antecedent) (consequent)In this example, there is a causal relation between the rain and the wet ground. The minor premise affirms or denies either the antecedent or the consequent of the major premise. The conclusion merely expresses whatever follows from the affirmation or denial by the minor premise of either the antecedent or consequent of the major premise.Symbolically, the conditional syllogism can be stated as follows:If A is B, then X is Y. If you pass the board exams, then you will be a CPA.A is B.You passed the board exams..: X is Y..: You are CPA.OrIf A is B, then X is Y. If you are brave, then you will stand up and speak.X is not Y. You do not stand up and speak..: A is not B. .: You are not brave.KINDS OF CONDITIONAL SYLLOGISMThere are two kinds of conditional syllogism: the CONSTRUCTIVE CONDITIONAL and the DESTRUCTIVE CONDITIONAL.The CONSTRUCTIVE CONDITIONAL SYLLOGISM is an argument whose major premise is a conditional proposition, whose minor premise affirms the antecedent and whose conclusion affirms the consequent.Symbolically, the syllogism may be stated, thus:If A is B, then X is Y. If you are honest, then people will admire you.A is B. You are honest..: X is Y. .: People will admire you.Should the minor premise affirms the consequent and the conclusion affirms the antecedent, the argument would become INVALID, as it would be a case of FALSE CONSEQUENT.Example: If A is B, then X is Y. If you are honest, then people will admire you.X is Y. People admire you..: A is B. .: You are honest.The DESTRUCTIVE CONDITIONAL SYLLOGISM is an argument whose major premise is a conditional proposition, whose minor premise denies the consequent and whose conclusion denies the antecedent of the major premise.Symbolically, the syllogism may be stated as:Example: If A is B, then X is Y. If you are ambitious, then you can attain progress.X is not Y. You do not attain progress..: A is not B. .: You are not ambitious.Should the minor premise deny the antecedent and the conclusion deny the consequent, the argument would be INVALID, as it would be the case of FALSE ANTECEDENT.Example: If A is B, then X is Y. If you are weak, then you will not survive the ordeal.A is not B. You are not weak..: X is not Y. .: You will survive the ordeal.RULES OF CONDITIONAL SYLLOGISM:1. IF THE MINOR PREMISE AFFIRMS THE ANTECEDENT, THE CONCLUSION MUST AFFIRM THECONSEQUENT OF THE MAJOR PREMISE, BUT NOT VICE-VERSA.2....
