English

Etymology

Pronunciation

Noun

1. A series of propositions whereby each conclusion is taken as the subject of the next.

   • 1760: Why?—he would ask, making use of the sorites or syllogism of Zeno and Chrysippus without knowing it belonged to them.—Why? why are we a ruined people?—Because we are corrupted.——Whence is it, dear Sir, that we are corrupted?—Because we are needy [...] ——And wherefore, he would add,—are we needy?——From the neglect, he would answer — Laurence Sterne, The Life & Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman (Penguin 2003, p. 130)

• Polysyllogism, a string of syllogisms
• Sorites paradox, a special case of polysyllogism also referred to as the paradox of the heap