ENTHYMEME (Rhetorical Syllogism) | 1

PART 1: REVIEW

We studied on our previous discussion was all about the formal syllogism. We say that it
is a formal syllogism, if the statement has a major and minor premise and has a conclusion.
Like for example,

No philosophers are evil. All Greeks are philosophers. No Greeks are evil.

PART 2: INTRODUCTION

It looks like that you really understood our lesson on our previous discussion by our
professor. Today, we are dealing with the so-called ENTHYMEME (EN-tha-meem) or also
known as Rhetorical Syllogism.

I have here a statement. I want you to observe it very well and tell me your observation.

Socrates is mortal because hes human.

PART 3: DISCUSSION
Enthymemes are an argumentative statement in which the writer or the speaker omits one
of the major or minor premise, does not clearly pronounce it, or keeps this premise implied.
However, the omitted premise in enthymeme remains understandable even if it is not clearly
expressed.
Trivia! Did you know that the word Enthymeme came from the Latin word enthymema,
and from Greek word enthumema which means, a rhetorical argument.
For instance,
Where there is smoke, there is fire.
It is clearly understood that, when there is smoke, there is fire. The hidden premise is The smoke
causes fire.

If we are going to write this on a formal syllogism we will get is like this:
All humans are mortal. Socrates is human. Therefore, Socrates is mortal.
Based on the given example All human are mortal is our Major Premise. Our Minor
Premise is Socrates is human, and our conclusion is Therefore, Socrates is mortal.
We see that, All human are mortal is omitted. Remember this, in syllogisms layout all
of their premises and conclusions explicitly or obviously, while in Enthymemes, keep at least
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one of the premises or conclusions unsaid. The assertion left unsaid are intended to be so
obvious as to not need stating. Sa Enthymemes daw, isa sa Major, Minor or conclusions ang
hindi stated kasi kahit na wala yung isa understandable ang statement katulad ng example natin.
Some Enthymemes are simple, while others are rather complex.Sometimes the Major Premise is
eliminated, while other times its the Minor Premise. Likewise, and somewhat debated, the
Conclusion is held in the mind.
Enthymemes are also called truncated syllogisms since theyre shortened. One or more
premise is held in the mind. To understand more about enthymemes here are the examples:

Example 1:
But Brutus says he was ambitious; And Brutus is an honourable man.
Mark Antony from Shakespeares Julius Caesar

- hidden premise: honourable men are ambitious.

Example 2:
Youve been bad, so youre going to get a spanking.

One of the premises is eliminated (held in the mind). In this case, children know what will
happen to them if theyre bad.
Hidden Premise: Bad children get spankings

In Enthymemes, there were two types of Enthymemes, namely: Demonstrative and

Refutative Enthymemes.
First, Demonstrative Enthymemes is proving an affirmative or negative propositions. It
combine compatible propositions in order to prove something. This type of enthymeme makes
assumptions and draws conclusions. The conclusions, then, demonstrate the logic.
Refutative Enthymemes join incompatible (opposite) propositions in order to disprove
something or show a contradiction. This structure positions two opposing arguments side-by-side
so audiences can see the apparent incompatibilities. The refutative enthymeme draws
conclusions not from what is assumed, but what is shown.
Enthymemes are based on 4 kinds of Fact:
1. Probabilities - what is, or supposed to be, usually true
2. Examples - induction provides similar cases, state proposition, and argue deductively to a
particular inference
3. Infallible Signs - argue from inevitable and invariable
4. Ordinary Signs - argue from some or particular universal proposition, true or false
Enthymemes work because the rhetor and audience share something in common. Usually
this is knowledge. This knowledge can be found in:
universal principles (Newtonian physics)
common values (illegal acts)
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niche specific (html coding), or
common sense (fire is hot, dont touch)

Like language, they work only when the community knows and understands what is left unstated
(held in the mind).
In this same vein, Enthymemes can fail if the receivers do not make the connection. The more
you work with Enthymemes, the more they become obvious and clear.

Purpose of Enthymeme
Its purpose is to influence the audience and allow them to make inferences. They can be
easily recognize, as these statements comes after because.

Function of Enthymemes
The usage of this enthymemes is very common in advertisements, political speeches and
literatures. It makes the readers work out their own conclusions and nudges them further to read
the text to get a clearer picture of the premise or an idea. By forcing the readers to take a final
step, it strengthens the arguments of the writer. Often enthymemes help to hide the underlying
idea or main idea upon which a major argument relies. In addition, the purpose of using an
enthymeme is to persuade the readers by using implied arguments.

Summary
As summary, Syllogisms contain a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion, the
most common type being categorical. Enthymemes are truncated syllogisms since one premise
is held in the mind of the audience. There are two types of Enthymemes: demonstrative and
refutative. Enthymemes are based on four types of facts: probabilities, examples, infallible
signs, and ordinary signs. Enthymemes function in communities of rhetors that share similar
knowledge.

Prepared by:

Princess Joy Clarisse Faith L. Niro

Reporter