CHAPTER II. 4i£9 of Milo, who had 'slain Clodius. Ilia major proposition is, that it is lawful for one person to kill another who lies in wait to kill him, which he proves from the custom of nations, from natural equity, examples, &c. his minor is, that Clodius laid wait for Milo ; which he proves by his arms, guards, &c. and then infers the conclusion, that it was lawful for Milo to kill Clodius. . II. A Dilemma is an argument which divides the whole into all its parts or members by a disjunctive proposition, and then infers' something concerning each part which is finally inferred concerning the whole. Instances of this are frequent; as, In this life we must either obey our vicious inclinations, or resist them : To obey them, will bring sin and sorrow ; to resist them is laborious and painful ; therefore we cannot be perfectly free from sòrrow or pain in this life. A dilemma becomes faulty or ineffectual three ways : First, when the members of the division are not well opposed, or not fully enumerated ; for then the major is false. Secondly, when what is asserted concerning each part is not just ; for then the minor is not true. Thirdly, when it may be retorted with equal force upon him who utters it. There was a famous ancient instance of this case, wherein a dilemma was retorted. Euathlus promised Protagoras a reward when he had taught him the art of pleading, and it was to be paid the first day that he gained any cause in the court. After a considerable time Protagoras goes to law with Euathlus for the reward, and uses this dilemma ; Either the cause will go on my side, or on yours : if the cause goes on my side, you must pay me according to the sentence of the judge : if the cause goes on your side, you must pay me according to your bargain : Therefore, whether the cause goes for me or against me, you' must pay Me the reward. But Euathlus retorted this dilemma thus : Either I shall gain the cause or lose it : if I gain the cause, then no- thing will be due to you according to the sentence of the judge : tut if I lose the cause, nothing will be due to you according to my bargain : therefore, whether I lose or gain the cause, I will not pay you, for nothing will be due to you. Note I. A dilemma is usually described as though it always proved the absurdity, inconvenience, or unreasonableness 'of some opinion or practice ; and this is the most common design of it ; but it is plain, that it may also be used to prove' the truth or ad- vantage of any thing proposed : as, In heaven we shall either have desires, or not : if we have no desires, then we have full satisfaction ; if we have desires, they shall be satisfied as fast as they arise; therefore in heaven we shall be completely satisfied. Note 2. 'This sort of argument may be composed of three or more members, and may be called a trilemma. III. A prosyllogism is when two or more syllogisms are so
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