Rigorous Reasoning
← Reasoning Lab

Formal Logic · Free

Syllogism Checker

Check the validity of any categorical syllogism. Enter the major premise, the minor premise, and the conclusion using the four standard quantifiers (All / No / Some / Some… are not). The tool identifies the figure, mood, and standard name (Barbara, Celarent, Darii, …), reports validity under both modern and traditional Aristotelian interpretation, and — when invalid — explains exactly which of the five rules of syllogism is violated.

Used in: Categorical Logic. The full lesson walks through the four standard forms (A, E, I, O), the distribution rule for each, and how the five rules of syllogism work as a closed test for validity.
Major premise
are
Minor premise
are
Conclusion
are
Reference: the 24 traditionally valid syllogisms

Of the 256 possible mood-figure combinations, 24 are valid under traditional Aristotelian logic. 15 of those remain valid under modern (Boolean) interpretation; the other 9 require existential import — they assume the subject class is non-empty, which modern logic doesn't take for granted.

Figure 1

  • Barbara (AAA-1) — valid (both interpretations)
  • Celarent (EAE-1) — valid (both interpretations)
  • Darii (AII-1) — valid (both interpretations)
  • Ferio (EIO-1) — valid (both interpretations)
  • Barbari (AAI-1) — valid (traditional only)
  • Celaront (EAO-1) — valid (traditional only)

Figure 2

  • Cesare (EAE-2) — valid (both interpretations)
  • Camestres (AEE-2) — valid (both interpretations)
  • Festino (EIO-2) — valid (both interpretations)
  • Baroco (AOO-2) — valid (both interpretations)
  • Cesaro (EAO-2) — valid (traditional only)
  • Camestros (AEO-2) — valid (traditional only)

Figure 3

  • Darapti (AAI-3) — valid (traditional only)
  • Disamis (IAI-3) — valid (both interpretations)
  • Datisi (AII-3) — valid (both interpretations)
  • Felapton (EAO-3) — valid (traditional only)
  • Bocardo (OAO-3) — valid (both interpretations)
  • Ferison (EIO-3) — valid (both interpretations)

Figure 4

  • Bramantip (AAI-4) — valid (traditional only)
  • Camenes (AEE-4) — valid (both interpretations)
  • Dimaris (IAI-4) — valid (both interpretations)
  • Fesapo (EAO-4) — valid (traditional only)
  • Fresison (EIO-4) — valid (both interpretations)
  • Camenos (AEO-4) — valid (traditional only)