Which of the following conditions is necessary for the validity of a categorical syllogism?
AAn affirmative conclusion can be drawn from two negative premises.
BThe middle term must be distributed at least once, and no term may be distributed in the conclusion unless it is distributed in the premises. ✓ Correct
CEvery syllogism with universal premises must yield a particular conclusion.
DThe predicate of the conclusion must be the minor term.
Correct answer: (B) The middle term must be distributed at least once, and no term may be distributed in the conclusion unless it is distributed in the premises.
Explanation
Validity requires the middle term to be distributed at least once, and no term to be distributed in the conclusion unless it is distributed in the premises.
The middle term links the two premises, so it must be taken universally at least once to make the connection.
If the middle is undistributed in both premises, the premises may fail to connect, the undistributed-middle fallacy.
A term distributed in the conclusion but not in its premise claims more than the premises grant, the illicit major or minor.
Meeting both of these distribution rules is necessary for a valid categorical syllogism.
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