There are four (4) figure and each is defined by the position of the middle term
either as subject or predicate in the syllogism.
1st Figure: sub-prae (subject- predicate)
2nd Figure:
pre-prae (predicate- predicate)
3rd Figure: sub-sub
(subject- subject )
4th Figure: prae-sub (predicate-subject)
Take Note:
Four Categorical Propositions:
A
Universal AFFIRMATIVE
E
Universal NEGATIVE
I
Particular AFFIRMATIVE
O
Particular NEGATIVE
a, e, i, o,
All S are P
No S are P
Some S are P
Some S are not P
- stands for the four categorical propositions and they combine with the
terms M S P, to denote the quantity of the subject term of proposition.
For example: Ma means that the Middle Term is used as subject of A
proposition.
u, p
(+) sign
(-) sign
- negative copula
Parts of Arguments:
M Middle Term
P Major Term
S Minor Term
Rules:
1. One premise must be negative
2. The major premise must be universal
Rule 1: Since the Middle Term is predicate of both premises (Major and Minor), it
becomes necessary that one of the premises should be negative, precisely, to
establish the middle term as universal at least once. Otherwise, the fallacy of
undistributed middle is committed.
Rule 2. Since one of the premises is negative, the conclusion will also be negative.
In order to avoid the fallacy of illicit major, in the major premise the subject-term
which is the major term must be universal.
The valid moods for the Second Figure are:
Proposit
ion
EAE
AEE
EIO
AOO
Mnemonic
cEsArE
cAmEstrEs
fEstInO
bArOcO
1. CESARE (EAE)
Pe - Mu
Sa + Mp
Premise
Se - Pu
Example:
No triangle is four-sided (Middle Term
prae)
But all squares are four-sided (Middle
Term prae)
Therefore, No square is triangle
2. CAMESTRES (AEE)
Pa + Mp
Se - Mu
Se - Pu
Example:
Every immoral act is condemnable (Middle A Universal Affirmative (Every) in
Term prae)
Major Term
But no kindness is condemnable (Middle E Universal Negative (No) in Minor
Term-prae)
Term
Therefore, No kindness is an immoral act
E Universal Negative (No.)
*The Middle Term condemnable as predicate in the Major premise (prae)
The Middle Term condemnable as predicate in the Minor premise (prae)
3. FESTINO (EIO)
Pe - Mu
Si + Mp
So - Pu
Example:
No law-abiding citizen is a criminals (Middle
Term prae)
But some adults are criminals (Middle Term
prae)
Therefore, some adults are not law-abiding
citizens
Rules:
1. If the major premise is affirmative, the minor premise must be universal
2. If the minor premise is an affirmative, the conclusion must be
particular
3. If either premise is negative, the major term must be universal
Rule 1. If the major premise is affirmative, its predicate which is the Middle Term is
particular. Consequently, the minor premise must be universal in order to establish
the Middle Term as a universal and, therefore, avoid an undistributed middle.
Rule 2. If the minor premise is affirmative, its predicate which is the minor
term is particular. To avoid an illicit minor, conclusion should be particular.
Rule 3. If either premise is negative, the conclusion would be negative and its
predicate, which is the major term would be universal. In order to avoid an illicit
major, the major premise must be universal.
The valid moods of the Fourth Figure are AAI, AEE, IAI, EAO, EIO
Proposit
ion
AAI
AEE
IAI
EAO
EIO
Mnemonic
brAmAntIp
cAmEnEs
dImArIs
fEsApO
frEsIsOn
1. BRAMANTIP (AAI)
Pa + Mp
Ma + Sp
Si + Pp
Example:
Every merchant is an investor
But every investor is a risk-taker
Therefore, some risk-takers are merchant
*The Middle Term investor used as a predicate (prae) in the Major Premise
The Middle Term investor used as a subject (sub) in the Minor Premise
2. CAMENES (AEE)
Pa + Mp
Me - Su
Se - Pu
Example:
All mammals are warm-blooded,
But no warm-blooded animals is a reptile,
Therefore, no reptile is a mammal
*The Middle Term warm-blooded used as a predicate (prae) in the Major Premise
The Middle Term warm-blooded used as a subject (sub) in the Minor Premise
3. DIMARIS (IAI)
Pi + Mp
Ma + Sp
Si + Pp
Example:
Some flowers are flagrant
But all flagrant things are pleasant
Therefore, some pleasant things are flowers
*The Middle Term flagrant used as a predicate (prae) in the Major Premise
The Middle Term flagrant used as a subject (sub) in the Minor Premise
4. FESAPO (EAO)
Pe - Mu
e, u Universal Negative
7
Ma + Sp
So - Pu
a, p Universal Affirmative
o,u Particular Negative
Example:
No monkey is a linguist (predicate)
But all linguist are educated (subject)
Therefore, some educated persons are not
monkeys
*The Middle Term linguist used as a predicate (prae) in the Major Premise
The Middle Term linguist used as a subject (sub) in the Minor Premise
5. FRESISON (EIO)
Pe - Mu (Universal Negative in Major Term)
Mi + Sp (Particular Affirmative in
So - Pu
Example:
No spider is a fly (predicate)
But some flies are insects (subject)
Therefore, some insects are not spiders