Enthymeme | Definition & Examples
An enthymeme is an argument in which one of the premises is implied because it is assumed to be obvious or already accepted by the audience. Instead of explicitly stating every element of the argument, speakers and writers rely on enthymemes to make a point quickly and efficiently.
Enthymemes are common in everyday communication, literature, and persuasive speeches.
She must be trustworthy since she is a doctor. [“Doctors are trustworthy” is implied]
I failed the test because the teacher does not like me. [“Teachers fail students they do not like” is implied]
Enthymeme definition
An enthymeme is a type of syllogism that contains an unstated premise. A syllogism is a logical argument commonly used in rhetoric, consisting of two premises and a conclusion.
| Premise 1 (also called major premise) | All dogs are good |
| Premise 2 (also called minor premise) | Fido is a dog |
| Conclusion | Fido is good |
In a complete syllogism, the argument starts with a major premise that expresses a general truth. The minor premise that follows zeroes in on a specific case, and the conclusion logically follows by applying the general truth to the specific case.
In an enthymeme, one of the premises is omitted but implied. Because of this, an enthymeme is an incomplete syllogism.
- “All dogs are good, so Fido is good.”
The minor premise (“Fido is a dog”) is implied.
- “Fido is a dog, so he is good.”
The major premise (“All dogs are good”) is implied.
A premise may be omitted because it is too obvious (e.g., “Fido is a dog”) or because the speaker wants to conceal a gap in their reasoning that would otherwise weaken their argument. Another reason for omitting a premise is to let the audience infer it.
Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle considered enthymemes to be powerful tools in rhetoric because they engage the audience by requiring them to think about the implied premises. Together with ethos, pathos, and logos, enthymemes allow speakers to create more persuasive arguments.
Why enthymemes work
Enthymemes are effective because the speaker relies on the audience’s ability to understand the implied premise and accept it as fact.
Enthymemes encourage the audience to use deductive reasoning to fill in the missing information and make the argument logically sound. Because the audience actively participates in constructing the argument, they are more likely to accept its conclusion, particularly if it aligns with their beliefs and biases.
In short, the absence of information does not make enthymemes illogical or nonsensical; rather, it invites the audience to create a shared message.
Enthymeme examples
The missing premise in an enthymeme is typically an unstated assumption held by both the speaker and the audience.
- Missing premise: People who don’t study usually fail exams.
She’s always late to meetings; therefore, she is irresponsible.
- Missing premise: Punctuality is an indicator of responsibility.
They have a luxury car, so they must be rich.
- Missing premise: Only wealthy people can afford luxury cars.
In each case, the missing premise is an assumption that the speaker and audience both accept as true, even though it is not explicitly stated. This shared understanding is what makes enthymemes work.
In some cases, enthymemes are based on signs or probabilities that point to a certain fact. However, when the relationship between the sign and the conclusion is not absolute or necessary, enthymemes can lead to logical fallacies.
He is cold since he is shivering.
The lights are off, so the shop must be closed.
There is smoke coming from that building; there is a fire inside.
Here, the wet ground, the shivering, the lights being off, and the smoke are signs of rain, cold, a closed store, and fire, respectively. However, these enthymemes are only probably true since there are other causes that could lead to the same result. For example, rain is not the only cause of wet ground; there are other possibilities, like sprinklers or dew.
This particular formal logical fallacy is known as affirming the consequent and is an invalid form of reasoning.
In an enthymeme, the audience fills in the logical gap without it being explicitly stated, making the argument more persuasive. Because of this, enthymemes are used in judicial oratory.
- Premise (stated): The gloves didn’t fit
- Premise (unstated): The defendant would have had to wear the gloves to commit the crime
- Conclusion: You must acquit
Frequently asked questions about enthymeme
- What is an enthymeme example?
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An enthymeme example is the sentence “Socrates is a human; therefore, Socrates is mortal.” In an enthymeme, there is a missing premise the audience must infer for the conclusion to make sense. This missing piece of information is usually a generally accepted truth or a commonly held belief. In this case, the premise “All humans are mortal” is implied, rather than explicitly stated, because it is common sense.
