Universa Philosophia

When, then, the Sustentans returns to the first proposition after repeating the argument, he repeats that proposition a second time, by itself, and after repeating it says, I grant the major, or the antecedent. Then he repeats the minor alone, and after repeating it says, I deny the minor. But if the argument was an enthymeme, he says, I deny the consequence. The Arguens is bound to prove the proposition that was denied and to propose a new argument in which he draws the proposition denied by the Sustentans as the conclusion. For example, the Sustentans denied the proposition Peter runs. The Arguens must prove it as follows: Every man runs; Peter is a man; therefore Peter runs. He must pursue the argument in this manner, with a moderately raised voice, modest gestures and expression, without contentiousness, shouting, or stamping his feet. He must always treat the President with the greatest courtesy, listen to him if he wishes to direct the argument or explain the grounds for what the Sustentans says, and must not be long-winded or importunate. He should be sure that it is better to propose a few effective syllogisms modestly than a hundred loose bundles of twigs, as they say, or sand without lime.