What is an enthymeme

An enthymeme is a type of argument in rhetoric that is an abbreviated or truncated syllogism. In other words, it's a logical argument that contains a conclusion and at least one premise, but does not explicitly state all of its assumptions or premises. The missing premise(s) must be supplied by the listener or reader, based on their knowledge or understanding of the context.

Here's a step-by-step breakdown:

1. An enthymeme is a rhetorical device used in arguments.
2. It is a shortened syllogism, which is a form of logical reasoning that uses two or more propositions to arrive at a conclusion.
3. Unlike a full syllogism, an enthymeme does not explicitly state all of its premises.
4. The missing premise(s) must be inferred or supplied by the listener or reader.
5. This requires the listener or reader to have some knowledge or understanding of the context in which the enthymeme is being used.

For example, if someone says, "Socrates is mortal because he's a man," the enthymeme is that all men are mortal. This premise is not stated, but is understood in the context of the argument.