Major term
Encyclopedia
The major term is the predicate term of the conclusion of a categorical syllogism. It appears in the major premise along with the middle term
and not the minor term
. It is an end term
(meaning not the middle term).
Example:
The major term is bolded above.
Middle term
The middle term must distributed in at least one premises but not in the conclusion of a categorical syllogism. The major term and the minor terms, also called the end terms, do appear in the conclusion.Example:...
and not the minor term
Minor term
The minor term is the subject term of the conclusion of a categorical syllogism. It also appears in the minor premise together with the middle term. Along with the major term it is one of the two end terms.Example:...
. It is an end term
End term
The end terms in a categorical syllogism are the major term and the minor term . These two terms appear together in the conclusion and separately with the middle term in the major premise and minor premise, respectively.Example:...
(meaning not the middle term).
Example:
- Major premise: All men are mortal.
- Minor premise: Socrates is a man.
- Conclusion: Therefore Socrates is mortal.
The major term is bolded above.