The Fallacy of the Undistributed Middle, Set Theoretic Approach all p's are q's (Major premise) x is a q (Minor premise) --------------- x is a p (Conclusion) Prove this is a fallacy. Here, we use a set theoretic interpretation of the classical syllogism: ALL(a):[a ε p => a ε q] (Major premise) x ε q (Minor premise) ---------------------- x ε p (Conclusion) To prove this is a fallcy, we must construct sets p and q such that the major and minor premises are true, and the conclusion is false. We start by postulating a set q with x in q. This immediately satisfies the minor premise. Then there must exist as a subset p of q such that x is not in p. The above requirements of p and q then follow trivially. Let q and x be such that... 1 Set(q) & x ε q Premise 2 Set(q) Split, 1 The minor premise is true. 3 x ε q Split, 1 Apply the subset axiom. 4 EXIST(s):[Set(s) & ALL(a):[a ε s <=> a ε q & ~a=x]] Subset, 2 Let p be a subset of q which excludes x. 5 Set(p) & ALL(a):[a ε p <=> a ε q & ~a=x] E Spec, 4 6 Set(p) Split, 5 7 ALL(a):[a ε p <=> a ε q & ~a=x] Split, 5 Prove: k ε p => k ε q Suppose... 8 k ε p Premise Apply the definition of p. 9 k ε p <=> k ε q & ~k=x U Spec, 7 10 [k ε p => k ε q & ~k=x] & [k ε q & ~k=x => k ε p] Iff-And, 9 11 k ε p => k ε q & ~k=x Split, 10 12 k ε q & ~k=x => k ε p Split, 10 13 k ε q & ~k=x Detach, 11, 8 14 k ε q Split, 13 As Required: 15 k ε p => k ε q Conclusion, 8 The major premise is true. 16 ALL(a):[a ε p => a ε q] U Gen, 15 Prove: ~x ε p Suppose to the contrary... 17 x ε p Premise Apply the definition of p. 18 x ε p <=> x ε q & ~x=x U Spec, 7 19 [x ε p => x ε q & ~x=x] & [x ε q & ~x=x => x ε p] Iff-And, 18 20 x ε p => x ε q & ~x=x Split, 19 21 x ε q & ~x=x => x ε p Split, 19 22 x ε q & ~x=x Detach, 20, 17 23 x ε q Split, 22 24 ~x=x Split, 22 25 x=x Reflex We obtain the contradiction... 26 x=x & ~x=x Join, 25, 24 The conclusion of the syllogism is false. 27 ~x ε p Conclusion, 17