Think in Three Lines

Make syllogisms a daily habit:

• Find the hidden premise — most arguments skip the major premise because it is assumed
• Test each premise alone — a conclusion is only as strong as its weakest premise
• Build your own — take a belief you hold and write it as three lines; does it hold up?
• Remember: valid is not true — a valid argument can still reach a false conclusion from false premises

Always check the premises before you trust the conclusion.