Thursday, November 8, syllogisms: true and false

In class: test on definitions of logos, ethos and pathos and applying this criteria to Sinners.
Mr. Mergler is also going to speak to you about a SAT review class.
Homework: for Tueday, November 13: vocabulary 4....turn it in at the beginning of class.
Homework: for Wednesday, November 14: read Patrick Henry's Speech to the Virginia Covention and and answer the accompanying questions. Copy below / handout in class.

HOMEWORK:  for Thursday, November 15: Franklin's Gout vocabulary test

SYLLOGISM

In logic, a form of deductive reasoning consisting of a

major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion, a

kind of logical argument in which one proposition

(the conclusion) is inferred from two or more others

(the premises) of a specific

form.Adjective: syllogistic.

Here is an example of a valid categorical syllogism:

Major premise: All mammals are warm-blooded.
Minor premise: All black dogs are mammals.
Conclusion: Therefore, all black dogs are warm-blooded.

FALSE SYLLOGISMS
Now, perhaps, which is equally important are false syllogisms: BEWARE.

This trick consists in stating a false syllogism. Your opponent makes a proposition, and by false inference and distortion of his ideas you force from it other propositions which it does not contain and he does not in the least mean; nay, which are absurd or dangerous. It then looks as if his proposition gave rise to others which are inconsistent either with themselves or with some acknowledged truth, and so it appears to be indirectly refuted.

examples:

Killer dogs have long teeth. You say your dog has long teeth, so it must be a killer.

You said you cannot afford a car, but you can afford a house.

We hear the person was with you when the crime was committed. So where were you when the crime was committed?

While false syllogisms can be dangerous, they are also used in comedy.  So let's laugh at what the commedian Jerry Seinfeld did in his show for eight years.

“So, what you are saying is that ninety to ninety-five percent of the population is undateable?”
“Undateable!”
“Then how are all these people getting together?”
“Alcohol.”
- Elaine and Jerry, in “The Wink”

“What is it about sex that just disrupts everything? Is it the touching? Is it the nudity?”
“It can’t be the nudity. I never got into these terrible fights and misunderstandings when I was changing before gym class.”
- George and Jerry, in “The Deal”

“I wanted to talk to you about Dr. Whatley. I have a suspicion that he’s converted to Judaism purely for the jokes.”
“And this offends you as a Jewish person?”
“No, it offends me as a comedian.”
- Jerry and Father Curtis, in “The Yada Yada”

“You are still afraid? You are not a man.”
“Well, then what are all those ties and sports jackets doing in my closet?”
- Gina and Jerry, in “The Suicide”

“I still can’t believe you’re going out on a blind date.”
“I’m not worried. It sounds like he’s really good looking.”
“You’re going by sound? What are we, whales?”
- Jerry and Elaine, in “The Wink”

“Wait. Those are the clothes from the bag!”
“The guy never came back.”
“He asked you to watch them, not wear them.”
“I’m still watching them.”
- Jerry and George, in “The Muffin Tops”

Patrick Henry -- Speech to the Virginia Convention

March, 1775

No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve.

This is no time for ceremony. The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.

Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.

I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House. Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received?

Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land.

Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort. I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us: they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging. And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years.

Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves.

Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne!

In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free -- if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending -- if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged,and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained -- we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of hosts is all that is left us! They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction?

Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.

Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston!

The war is inevitable -- and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace -- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God!

I know not what course others may take but as for me: give me liberty or give me death!

Accompanying work for Patrick Henry’s Speech in the Virginia Convention

Please write out your responses on a separate sheet of paper.  DUE  Wednesday, November 14

Please respond on a separate sheet of paper: typed or not. Your responses must be in complete sentences. This is counting as a writing assignment. All responses should be complete, well-written and employ textual evidence. That means you quote and use quotation marks!

Recalling:  (USE TEXTUAL EVIDENCE FOR YOUR RESPONSES)

1. What comment does Henry make about the delegates who have just addressed the House?

2. What does Henry say he would be guilty of if he holds back his opinion?

3. How does Henry say that he judges the future?

4. (a) What does Henry say is the reason for the British military build-up in America? (b) What course of action must the colonials take?

5. What does Henry say “the next gale that sweeps from the north” will bring?

6. To what does Henry compare the colonists’ situation?

Interpreting:

7. Why do you think Henry begins his speech by stating the opinions of the previous speakers?
8. Why does Henry believe that compromise with the British is not a workable solution?
9. How does Henry answer the objection that the colonists are not ready to fight?

  Recognizing Oratory:

    Oratory is the art of formal public speaking. A skilled orator uses such devices as rhetorical questions, restatement, repetition and parallelism to emphasize points.  For example, Henry uses restatement in his speech, repeating his declaration, “We must fight!”An effective orator may use a number of persuasive techniques to try to convince an audience to think or act in a certain way.  For example, Patrick Henry uses a blend of logical arguments and emotional appeals in his speech.

10. Considering the purpose of Henry’s speech, why do you feel these two techniques were appropriate. This is an extended response!
11. Why do you think Henry chose to end his speech with an emotional appeal?