An introduction to the art of logick composed for the use of English schools, and all such who having no opportunity of being instructed in the Latine tongue ... / by John Newton ...

CHAP. XIX. Of Fallacies in the General.

HItherto we have spoken of a true Syllo∣gism, as it consists either of necessary or probable matter; it remaineth now that we speak of a Sophistocal Syllogism.

A Sophistical Syllogism, is a captious ar∣gumentation, which is seemingly only or ap∣parently true or probable, but is indeed de∣ceitful. And the Antients did call those Sophisters which endeavoured to obtain Glory by disputation, and that by five waies or means especially by forcing the respon∣dent,

• 1. To Redargution, which is the denial of something that was before granted, or the concession of something that was before denied. When the respondent is forced to contradict himself.
• 2. To something that is false; as, when he admits of something that is apparently known to be so.
• 3. To something contrary to common sense; as, when he admits of some proposition,

• that is contrary to the common received opi∣nion.
• 4. To some Soloecisme; as when he ad∣mits of some thing contrary to the rules of Grammar; or,
• 5. And lastly, to some trivial and vain thing; as when there is a vain and useless repetition of the same thing.

These fallacious waies of arguing, Aristotle hath well referred to these two heads, to Fallacies in words, or in things: Of Fallacies in words he reckons five. Ambiguity, Am∣phibolie, Composition, Division and Figure of a word: Of Fallacies in things he names seven; Accident, Of a thing spoken after a sort to a thing spoken simply, Ignorance of the argument, A false or wrong Cause, Conse∣quent, Begging of the question, and, An asking of many questions.