I picked up a textbook called "An Introduction" to Logic by Creighton.
I've come early on to this syllogism:
A: All students of the University are over 16 years of age.
B: Baby1nut is a student at the university.
C: Therefore Baby1nut is more than 16 years of age. (so true!)
The author states that this is an Enthymeme. He writes: "The statement He must be over 16 years of age, for he attends the university is an incomplete syllogism . The conclusion as will be readily seen, stands first. "
I really don't see the difference between this, and A: All men are mortal
B. Baby1nut is a man
C: Baby1nut is mortal
Can anyone kindly help out a confused old guy? Many advance thanks!!
Something about you (optional) old guy trying too think weller
The statements as you present them are both right.
"All students of the University are over 16 years of age. Baby1nut is a student at the university. Therefore Baby1nut is more than 16 years of age." - this is a valid syllogism.
Creighton's statement that "He must be over 16 years of age, for he attends the university is an incomplete syllogism . The conclusion as will be readily seen, stands first." is indeed an enthymeme, i.e. an abridged syllogism (the major premise "All students of the University are over 16 years of age" being left tacit).
The underlying argument of the enthymeme is one and the same with your full syllogism.
There is no problem.
Something about you (optional) logician-philosopher
