Enthymius

An Enthymius is a type of rhetorical syllogism or argument in which one or more premises or the conclusion is unexpressed or assumed. Unlike a formal syllogism which explicitly states all premises and the conclusion, the enthymeme relies on the audience's existing knowledge or beliefs to fill in the missing parts. This allows for more concise and persuasive arguments, as the speaker can leverage common understandings without needing to explicitly state them. The effectiveness of an enthymeme depends heavily on the audience's ability to recognize and accept the unstated assumptions. Because the missing elements are often matters of opinion or generally accepted principles rather than undeniable facts, enthymemes can be more susceptible to flaws in reasoning than fully articulated syllogisms. The term is derived from the Greek enthymēma, meaning "held in the mind". Enthymemes are frequently employed in persuasive speeches, advertising, and everyday conversation.