What is a syllogism?

A syllogism is indeed a three-step logical process that was developed by Aristotle, which involves forming a conclusion based on two premises. This deductive reasoning structure typically follows a format where a general statement is paired with a specific statement to draw a logical conclusion. For example, if we state that "All humans are mortal" (a general premise) and "Socrates is a human" (a specific premise), we can logically conclude that "Socrates is mortal." This form of reasoning is foundational in classical logic and helps to establish valid arguments based on clear premises.

The other choices do not accurately define a syllogism. A rhetorical question is typically meant to make a point rather than elicit an answer, and it does not involve the logical structure characteristic of a syllogism. Gathering experimental data is more related to scientific methods and does not align with the logical reasoning process of syllogisms. Inductive reasoning, on the other hand, involves deriving general principles from specific observations and differs from the deductive approach of syllogisms, where conclusions are derived from established premises.