The major premise must contain the major term in a standard syllogism.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Sometimes
• D. Only in some syllogisms

Answer: (A)

In a standard categorical syllogism, the major term is the predicate of the conclusion, and it must appear in the major premise to form the needed link with the middle term. The major premise relates the middle term to the major term, and the minor premise relates the minor term to the middle term. From those two premises, the conclusion then relates the minor term to the major term.

For example, major term: animals; middle term: mammals; minor term: dogs. A correct arrangement is: All mammals are animals (major premise) and All dogs are mammals (minor premise). From these, we conclude All dogs are animals. Here the major term appears in the major premise, which is essential for connecting it through the middle term to the minor term in the conclusion.

Thus the statement is true: the major premise must contain the major term in a standard syllogism.