Names for the Valid Syllogisms

A careful application of these rules to the 256 possible forms of categorical syllogism
(assuming the denial of existential import) leaves only 15 that are valid. Medieval students
of logic, relying on syllogistic reasoning in their public disputations, found it convenient to
assign a unique name to each valid syllogism. These names are full of clever reminders of
the appropriate standard form: their initial letters divide the valid cases into four major
groups, the vowels in order state the mood of the syllogism, and its figure is indicated by
(complicated) use of m, r, and s. Although the modern interpretation of categorical logic
provides an easier method for determining the validity of categorical syllogisms, it may be
worthwhile to note the fifteen valid cases by name:
The most common and useful syllogistic form is "Barbara", whose mood and figure is AAA1:
All M are P.
All S are M.
Therefore, All S are P.
Instances of this form are especially powerful, since they are the only valid syllogisms
whose conclusions are universal affirmative propositions.
A syllogism of the form AOO-2 was called "Baroco":
All P are M.
Some S are not M.
Therefore, Some S are not P.
The valid form OAO-3 ("Bocardo") is:
Some M are not P.
All M are S.
Therefore, Some S are not P.
Four of the fifteen valid argument forms use universal premises (only one of which is
affirmative) to derive a universal negative conclusion:
One of them is "Camenes" (AEE-4):
All P are M.
No M are S.
Therefore, No S are P.
Converting its minor premise leads to "Camestres" (AEE-2):
All P are M.
No S are M.
Therefore, No S are P.
Another pair begins with "Celarent" (EAE-1):
No M are P.
All S are M.
Therefore, No S are P.
Converting the major premise in this case yields "Cesare" (EAE-2):
No P are M.
All S are M.
Therefore, No S are P.

Syllogisms of another important set of forms use affirmative premises (only one of which is
universal) to derive a particular affirmative conclusion:
The first in this group is AII-1 ("Darii"):
All M are P.
Some S are M.
Therefore, Some S are P.
Converting the minor premise produces another valid form, AII-3 ("Datisi"):
All M are P.
Some M are S.
Therefore, Some S are P.
The second pair begins with "Disamis" (IAI-3):
Some M are P.
All M are S.
Therefore, Some S are P.
Converting the major premise in this case yields "Dimaris" (IAI-4):
Some P are M.
All M are S.
Therefore, Some S are P.
Only one of the 64 distinct moods for syllogistic form is valid in all four figures, since both of
its premises permit legitimate conversions:
Begin with EIO-1 ("Ferio"):
No M are P.
Some S are M.
Therefore, Some S are not P.
Converting the major premise produces EIO-2 ("Festino"):
No P are M.
Some S are M.
Therefore, Some S are not P.
Next, converting the minor premise of this result yields EIO-4 ("Fresison"):
No P are M.
Some M are S.
Therefore, Some S are not P.
Finally, converting the major again leads to EIO-3 ("Ferison"):
No M are P.
Some M are S.
Therefore, Some S are not P.