Are "if...then" constructs always really syllogisms?

Example:

"If I have no money I can't buy groceries."

Syllogistic form:

Premise: I have no money.
Conclusion: I can't buy groceries.
Silent premise: Buying groceries requires money.

Question: Can you think of an "if...then" construct that is not really a syllogism?

P.S.: Use English only -- no mathematical notation.

2008-08-28T16:36:20Z

Just no Silent Premise, Jimmy W. Thanks in advance...

2008-08-29T01:53:04Z

The silent premise in that, Jimmy W, is that rolling will (or may) put out such a fire.

I was thinking the silent premise might be precisely what an "if...then" construct seeks to communicate. But in your last example, because of the "not", it seems the message is something else: namely, that you will only drop, stop and roll when you're on fire (not for other reasons, or without a reason).

Anonymous2008-08-28T16:03:14Z

Favorite Answer

You want a "if ... then " construct like the above one about money. However, you don't want it to have a Premise, Conclusion, or Silent Premise.

Hmmm...

"If I discover a construct that is not a syllogism
I will let you know."

EDIT: What about:

"If I am on not on fire,
I will not stop, drop and roll."

You can be on fire without rolling. And you can roll without being on fire. The 2 are not necessarily connected. So there is no silent premise. Right?

EDIT: Okay; So you want a construct where the 2 things are apparently not related.

"If I have no milk, then I will eat Chilli for breakfast."

The silent premise is unapparent ; milk and chilli are 2 completely unrelated variables, yet in my case the one relies on the other for no apparent reason. ... Right?

Anonymous2008-08-28T16:59:40Z

cant wont.. ..so NO!!