How to Think #7: Datisi

Here is our seventh valid syllogism which is named Datisi. In symbols it looks like this:
1. All M's are P's
2. Some M's are S's
3. Therefore, Some S's are P's

If this looks familiar there is a good reason for that. Datisi is exactly the same as Darii except the terms in the second premise are reversed.

Using words to construct a Datisi syllogism we might come up with this:

1. All medical doctors are well-educated
2. Some medical doctors are incompetent
3. Therefore, Some incompetent people are well-educated

Or this:

1. All medical treatments are beneficial
2. Some medical treatments are painful
3. Therefore, Some painful things are beneficial

For this last syllogism we might argue that the first premise is not as true as we would like it to be and I would certainly argue that the second premise – even though, in my experience, it seems to be true now - means we need to work harder to develop better, and less painful, treatments.

Copyright © 2016 by Joseph Wayne Gadway

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