ENTYMEMA: WHAT IT CONSISTS OF, TYPES, EXAMPLES - DUDAS - 2025

An enthymeme refers to the different ways in which an explanation can be expressed. Its main characteristic is that one of the ideas is not expressed openly. That is, some of the propositions or the conclusion of the explanation is implicit.

It is an element present in rhetoric and is considered a syllogism. The word enthymeme originates from the Greek whose meaning has to do with a fragment of reason that refers to speech.

Bust of Aristotle, a philosopher who studied enthymemes. Source: Museo nazionale romano di palazzo Altemps, via Wikimedia Commons.

Although Aristotle was the main student of enthymemes, some previous authors had already laid some of the foundations for this tool of rhetoric. At first it was linked to the presentation of arguments that were contradictory or inconsistent.

What does it consist of

Enthymemes have evolved over time. Currently it is considered as a form of argumentation similar to a syllogism although in this case it has a more synthesized form.

The sender usually omits some portion of his argument when he makes use of enthymemes. Although you do not explicitly state one of the premises or conclusion of your idea, it is easily understood.

It has great similarities with syllogisms, since both are tools of rhetoric whose main objective is to affect in some way the sender of the message. Normally, the conclusion that is reached in the explanations respond to the reason for the premise that is absent because it was not expressed.

There are several reasons why enthymemas occur. To begin with, because the approach that is obviated in the argument is usually very evident, it also happens that it is not raised because it has not been corroborated or simply because the premise tends to lean more towards the emotional than the rational part of the sender of the message.

Aristotle

One of the most important characters who studied enthymemes was Aristotle. The ancient Greek philosopher appreciated the importance of this rhetorical device in order to convince the recipient of the message.

Aristotle wrote in the 4th century BC. C. a treaty titled Rhetoric. In this work, he managed to present three recommendations for those who wanted to use enthymemes effectively.

To begin with, he spoke of 'ethos', a Greek term that refers to the conduct or character of things. In this sense, Aristotle explained that when trying to persuade another person about something, there must be trust.

He also talked about pathos and logos. The first refers to emotions and the second has to do with the logic of things.

Difference with syllogisms

Although many authors compare and consider enthymemes as syllogisms, there are some differences between these two rhetorical devices. To begin with, when ensuring that an enthymeme is a syllogism, it is important to add that it would be an incomplete one since at least one of the statements is not exposed.

Enthymemes can be classified in different ways, everything varies according to the part of the explanation that has not been stated. For its part, the classification of syllogisms depends on the characteristics of the premises that are exposed when trying to persuade someone.

In this way, we always speak of a major and minor premise, when in the enthymeme it is normal to only expose one of the two.

Enthymeme validation

To confirm the correct use of enthymemes, there are two very simple formulas. To begin with, it is always important to remember that syllogisms are made up of three elements: a first premise, a second premise, and finally a conclusion.

According to this, in order to check the enthymemes it is enough to complete the argument with the missing proposition. The other option is to check that the conclusion is correct.

When the thesis maintains its logic, even if one of the premises is inferred, the enthymeme is correct.

Types of enthymemes

Enthymemes are divided into two different types, first and second order, although some scholars have even affirmed that there is a third order. Aristotle was the one who created this classification.

In first-order enthymemes the main proposition that makes up the syllogism is not exposed. On the contrary, the secondary premise is absent and is inferred in the enthymemes that are of the second order.

Those authors who made reference to third order enthymemes spoke about the lack of conclusion.

Aristotle also went so far as to state that enthymemes could be true or apparent.

Importance

The use of enthymemes is something very common in different situations in the life of human beings today.

In advertising, in politicians' speeches, and even in our everyday lives, enthymemes are tools used to persuade others about something specific. It is relevant because it allows for shorter arguments and stimulates the analysis process.

Likewise, we must be careful with the use of enthymemes because many times we can make the mistake of omitting an approach that is not entirely real or that has not been verified. The problem with this many times is that the receiver of the message may not realize this fallacy and be persuaded by the sender.

Examples

Very commonly the arguments that are made appealing to the moral and the ethical have an enthymeme as a persuasion tool, although its use is often not noticed. There are many cases that can be analyzed:

Example 1:

- Hurting people is wrong.

- That's why drunk driving is wrong.

This time it is a second-order enthymeme. As can be seen, it only has one proposition and the conclusion of the argument, so it is inferred that the public knows the second idea of ​​the argument. It appeals to the moral part and this type of argument is raised assuming that the receiver of the message will support the idea.

Example 2:

- Asians eat healthy.

- Asians are in good health.

In this case, the main premise of the argument that would state that all those who eat healthy are in good health is absent.

Example 3:

- If he studied he passed the exam.

- But I never studied.

Here the conclusion of the explanation is not exposed and in this way it would be a third order enthymeme. The recipient of the message can complete the idea without major problems.

References

1. Enos, R. (2010). Landmark essays on Aristotelian rhetoric. New York, NY: Routledge.
2. Frame, D. (1998). The logical nature of Aristotle's enthymeme. Frame Publishing.
3. Freeley, A. and Steinberg, D. (2013). Argumentation and debate. Belmont, Calif.: Wadsworth.
4. Lauer, J. (2004). Invention in rhetoric and composition. West Lafayette, Indiana: Parlor Press.
5. McBurney, J. (1936). The place of the enthymeme in rhetorical theory. University of Michigan.