Concept · Foundations

Major, Minor, and Middle Terms

The major term is the predicate of the conclusion; the minor term is the subject of the conclusion; the middle term appears in both premises but not the conclusion.

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Why it matters

Mapping these roles is essential for applying the classical rules of the syllogism and for recognizing syllogistic figures.

Where this shows up

Units and lessons using this concept

Following the links will take you to the page where this term is introduced in context.

Units (1)

Categorical Logic: Terms, Classes, and Syllogistic FormStudents learn to analyze standard-form categorical propositions, master quantity and quality, use the square of opposition, represent cl…

Lessons (1)

Mapping Syllogisms: Major, Minor, and Middle TermsCategorical Logic: Terms, Classes, and Syllogistic Form

Other concepts in Foundations

A, E, I, O Propositions Accessibility Relation Argument Atomic Statement Base Rate Bayes Factor Calibration Cardinality Cartesian Product Categorical Proposition Categorical Syllogism Circularity