This is another combination of two conjunctive syllogisms, both
pointing to the same conclusion. The proof is again redundant. In this
case we have the consequent denied in both, whereas in the former we
had the antecedent affirmed. It is only for convenience that such
arguments as these are thrown into the form of a single
syllogism. Their real distinctness may be seen from the fact that we
here deny each proposition separately, thus making two independent
statements--C is not D and E is not F. But in the true instance of the
simple destructive dilemma, what we deny is not the truth of the two
propositions contained in the consequent, but their compatibility; in
other words we make a disjunctive denial.
§ 791. Nor yet is the following a dilemma--
If A is B, either C is D or E is F.
Neither C is D nor E is F.
.'. A is not B.
If the barometer falls there will be either wind or rain.
There is neither wind nor rain.
.'. The barometer has not fallen.
What we have here is simply a conjunctive major with the consequent
denied in the minor. In the consequent of the major it is asserted
that the two propositions, 'C is D' and 'E is F' cannot both be false;
and in the minor this is denied by the assertion that they are both
false.
§ 792. A dilemma is said to be rebutted or retorted, when another
dilemma is made out proving an opposite conclusion. If the dilemma be
a sound one, and its premisses true, this is of course impossible, and
any appearance of contradiction that may present itself on first sight
must vanish on inspection. The most usual mode of rebutting a dilemma
is by transposing and denying the consequents in the major--
If A is B, C is D; and if E is F, G is H.
Either A is B or E is F.
.'. Either C is D or G is H.
The same rebutted--
If A is B, G is not H; and if E is F, C is not D.
Either A is B or E is F.
.'. Either G is not H or C is not D.
= Either C is not D or G is not H.
§ 793. Under this form comes the dilemma addressed by the Athenian
mother to her son--'Do not enter public life: for, if you say what is
just, men will hate you; and, if you say what is unjust, the gods will
hate you' to which the following retort was made--'I ought to enter
public life: for, if 1 say what is just, the gods will love me; and,
if 1 say what is unjust, men will love me.' But the two conclusions
here are quite compatible. A man must, on the given premisses, be both
hated and loved, whatever course he takes. So far indeed are two
propositions of the form
Either C is D or G is H,
and Either C is not D or G is not H,
from being incompatible, that they express precisely the same thing
when contradictory alternatives have been selected, e.g.--
Either a triangle is equilateral or non-equilateral.
Either a triangle is non-equilateral or equilateral.
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