Write a short note on the mood and figure of the following arguments. Find out the formal fallacy committed by these arguments : No men are poets. All women are poets. Therefore, all women are men.

Mood and Figure in Categorical Syllogisms: Unraveling a Fallacy

Categorical syllogisms, characterized by their mood and figure, play a pivotal role in formal logic. Analyzing these elements helps determine the validity of arguments and identify formal fallacies. Let's dissect the mood and figure of the given argument and unveil the committed fallacy.

1. Mood and Figure:

Breaking down the provided argument:

• Mood:

  • Premise 1: No men are poets. (E)
  • Premise 2: All women are poets. (A)
  • Conclusion: Therefore, all women are men. (A)

• Figure:

  • The middle term (poets) appears in both premises, connecting the major term (men) and minor term (women).

The mood of this syllogism is EAA, and the figure is the first figure, as the middle term (poets) appears in the subject of the major premise and the predicate of the minor premise.

2. Analysis of the Argument:

The argument, "No men are poets. All women are poets. Therefore, all women are men," commits a formal fallacy known as the fallacy of illicit process. This fallacy occurs when the middle term (poets) is distributed in the conclusion but not in either premise.

• In the major premise (No men are poets), the term "poets" is not distributed because it only refers to men.
• In the minor premise (All women are poets), the term "poets" is not distributed because it refers to all women.

However, in the conclusion, the term "poets" is distributed, stating "all women are men." This violates the rules of valid categorical syllogisms.

3. Correction:

To rectify the fallacy, the argument needs to ensure that the middle term is distributed in at least one of the premises. For instance, the major premise could be modified to "No poets are men," ensuring the distribution of the middle term and maintaining logical coherence.

Understanding the principles of mood and figure is crucial for constructing valid categorical syllogisms. The fallacy of illicit process in the given argument emphasizes the necessity of proper distribution of terms to ensure logical validity and avoid erroneous conclusions.

In conclusion, dissecting the mood and figure of categorical syllogisms provides a structured approach to evaluating their logical soundness. Recognizing and addressing formal fallacies enhance our ability to engage in rigorous and valid reasoning.