Drama and Zoology

The strange zoology of E. Ionesco's Rhinoceros:

LOGICIAN
(to the OLD GENTLEMAN)
Here is an example of a syllogism. The cat has four paws. Isidore and Fricot both have four paws. Therefore Isidore and Fricot are cats.

OLD GENTLEMAN
My dog has got four paws.

LOGICIAN
Then it's a cat.

BERENGER
(to JEAN)
I've barely got the strength to go on living. Maybe I don't even want to.

OLD GENTLEMAN
(to LOGICIAN, after deep reflection)
So then, logically speaking, my dog must be a cat?

LOGICIAN
Logically, yes. But the contrary is also true.

From Rhinoceros & Other Plays, Eugène Ionesco, tr. Derek Prouse (London: John Calder, 1960; New York: Grove, pp. 18, 19.)