In the context of reasoning, what is a system of rules about the meaning of words and phrases?

The choice of semantics is correct because it refers to the study of meaning in language. It focuses on how words, phrases, and sentences convey meaning and how these meanings interact with one another in communication. Understanding semantics is essential for interpreting the significance of language in various contexts, as it encompasses the definitions, relations, and implications of words and phrases.

Pragmatics, while closely related, deals more with the context of language use and how meaning is influenced by social interactions and the situational context, rather than rules about meaning. Syllogism pertains to a form of reasoning where a conclusion is drawn from two premises and is more focused on logical structure than on meaning. Syntax governs the rules about the structure and order of words in sentences, which is important for grammatical correctness but does not directly address the meaning of those words.