Which fallacy occurs when the major term is distributed in the conclusion but not distributed in the major premise?

• A. Illicit Minor
• B. Undistributed Middle
• C. Illicit Major
• D. Exclusive Premises

Answer: (C)

In categorical syllogisms, distribution shows whether a term is treated universally in a proposition. The major term, which is the predicate of the conclusion, must be distributed in the premises if it’s distributed in the conclusion. If the conclusion treats the major term as universal (distributed) but the major premise treats it non-universally (undistributed), you’re drawing a conclusion beyond what the premises justify. That mismatch is called Illicit Major.

For a concrete sense, consider: All V are W. All W are V. The conclusion All W are V distributes W (the major term) in the conclusion, but in the major premise All V are W, the major term W is not distributed. This creates an invalid jump from the premises to the conclusion, which is exactly the illicit major pattern.