Enthymeme
The enthymeme (Greek: ἐνθύμημα enthýmema - the Contemplated that took to heart the argument ) is a declining Aristotle concept of rhetoric and argumentation theory.
It also speaks of a " probability enthymemischen circuit" or " rhetorical " or " dialectical " circuit, ie a conclusion with unexpressed premises.
History
For Anaximenes of Lampsacus there is the first treatment of a theory of Enthymems, in the pseudo- Aristotelian treatise Rhetoric to Alexander. There, the enthymeme is a means of persuasion, which provides evidence that the opponent contradicts himself or his statements or actions against social and moral principles violated (as opposed to their own ).
Most lasting Aristotle coined the term. Because of ambiguities and interpretive misunderstandings can be found in the subsequent rhetoric tradition and to this day, however Enthymembegriffe that contradict each other and with its term.
In Aristotle's Rhetoric enthymeme is the most important means of persuasion, namely the rhetorical proof, in which the premises are recognized by the listeners opinions. The premises of Enthymemen treat no scientific objects and are therefore usually not necessary and, in general, but only in the rule. Aristotle characterizes the enthymeme also as an argument of probable and characters ( An. pr. 70a2 II 27 ). Presumably, this means the following: Because of the treated objects the premises of Enthymems are (almost always) not necessary (unlike scientific premises ). As a consequence, the conclusion is only probable ( necessitas consequentis ) holds. In the tradition but also the nature of the inferential relationship was seen as merely probable ( necessitas consequentiae ). In this case, enthymemes would no necessarily valid conclusions. In addition to the logically necessary enthymeme Aristotle also knows the special form of certain circumstantial conclusions, which do not necessarily apply (such as: ' It rained, because the road is wet ').
Aristotle explains that are shorter because of the speech situation and the target group enthymemes than other arguments. Often, therefore, the premises would be omitted, which are known to all. ( Rh. I.2, 1357a7 -18) The requirement enthymeme must have less assumptions, leads to the so-called syllogism truncatus teaching, enthymeme consists of a premise. Because this requirement was understood against the background of the syllogism theory of Aristotle, in which an argument always consists of two premises. This view is characteristic of the Middle Ages, is already found in Avicenna and Al -Farabi and possibly goes back to Alexander of Aphrodisias.
Today's use
In the speech, the four-part structure of the strict syllogism is rarely used, but the argument is reduced to three or two steps; the lack of rest ( the proposition, one of the two premises or the conclusion ) is supplemented by the listener " in thought ". In many writings on rhetoric is specifically only those condensed proof gear called enthymeme, the complete proof is if not also in the Aristotelian sense, syllogism.
In part, the probability enthymemische closing the conscious fallacy ( " eristic syllogism " ) is distinguished and merely pointed out that shortened conclusions for persuasive argumentation and advertising language are characteristic. Elsewhere it is noted that the shortening of the Ganges evidence can serve the deliberate concealment of weakness of the argument, for example, if a premise is omitted, if they are formulated, the listener would have to appear incredible.
Examples from everyday life
A) complete:
It will make the rain ( proposition / proof goal ); because if the air pressure drops, there is rain ( first premise / premise ). Now the pressure has dropped ( second premise / subset ), so it 's going to rain ( Conclusion / conclusion ).
B ) shortened:
- There will be rain; the pressure has dropped.
- The pressure has dropped; do you know if the air pressure drops, there is rain.
Missing premise
He is not corrupt. Finally, it is official. ( It lacks the premise: No officer is corrupt. )