A syllogism is a kind of logical argument that applies deductive reasoning to arrive at a conclusion based on two propositions that are asserted or assumed to be true. In its earliest form, a deductive syllogism arises when two true premises validly imply a conclusion, or the main point that the argument aims to get across. For example, knowing that all men are mortal, and that Socrates is a man, we may validly conclude that Socrates is mortal. Syllogistic arguments are usually represented in a three-line form: