Concatenated enthymemes. That is, a chain of claims and reasons which build upon one another.

Sorites is sometimes seen as, and certainly can be, a logical fallacy, since the rapidity of claims and reasons does not allow the unstated assumptions behind each claim to be examined.

Example

We cannot trust this man, for he has perjured himself in the past. Since the witness cannot be trusted, we must disregard his present testimony. Without his damning testimony, the accusations against my client are nothing. Since the accusations against my client amount to nothing, let him be dismissed.

Related Figures

• enthymeme
• Figures of Reasoning