Definition:Categorical Syllogism/Secondary Term
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Definition
The secondary term of a categorical syllogism is the term that appears as the first predicate of the conclusion of the syllogism.
It also appears once in one of the premises of the syllogism, traditionally the minor premise.
It is usually denoted by $S$.
Also known as
Some sources call the secondary term of a categorical syllogism the minor term, whence the name of the minor premise in which it occurs.
Others call it the subject of the syllogism, but this is not recommended as it can be a cause for confusion due to its ambiguity.
Some sources denote it with the letter $F$.
Sources
- 1965: E.J. Lemmon: Beginning Logic ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $4$: The Predicate Calculus $2$: $4$ The Syllogism