Note 307 — Chapter I

For example, B is greater than C, A is greater than B, therefore, A is greater than C.

Here is a valid reasoning which consists of three propositions. But it contains more than three terms; for the predicate of the second premiss is “greater than B,” while the subject of the first premiss is “B.” It is, therefore, as it stands, not a syllogism. Whether reasonings of this kind admit of being reduced to syllogistic form is a problem which will be discussed subsequently.