What is an example of a formal fallacy 2024?

Isabella Kim | 2023-06-09 05:18:25 | page views:1216
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Ruby Turner

Studied at University College London (UCL), Lives in London, UK
As a domain expert in logical reasoning and critical thinking, I'm delighted to delve into the intricacies of formal fallacies. A formal fallacy, also known as a deductive fallacy or logical fallacy, is an error in reasoning that occurs due to a flaw in the logical structure of an argument. It's distinct from informal fallacies, which stem from the content of the argument rather than its structure.

In a formal fallacy, the argument's conclusion does not logically follow from its premises, even if the premises are true. This is in contrast to valid arguments, where the truth of the premises guarantees the truth of the conclusion. The concept of formal fallacies is central to the study of logic, as it helps us to identify and avoid flawed reasoning in our arguments.

One classic example of a formal fallacy is the "Affirming the Consequent" fallacy. This fallacy occurs when the structure of the argument is as follows:

1. If P, then Q.
2. Q.
3. Therefore, P.

Here, the fallacy lies in the fact that even if Q is true, it does not necessarily mean that P is true. The truth of Q does not provide sufficient evidence to conclude that P is also true.

Another example is the "Denying the Antecedent" fallacy, which has the structure:

1. If P, then Q.
2. Not P.
3. Therefore, not Q.

In this case, the argument incorrectly assumes that the negation of P leads to the negation of Q. However, the truth of "Not P" does not provide any information about the truth of Q.

The "Fallacy of the Undistributed Middle" is another formal fallacy that occurs in categorical logic. It happens when a term is not distributed in at least one of the premises but is used in the conclusion. For example:

1. All S are P.
2. Some M are S.
3. Therefore, some M are P.

The fallacy here is that "S" is distributed in the first premise (all S are P), but "M" is not distributed (we only know that some M are S, not all M).

These are just a few examples of the many types of formal fallacies that can occur. It's important to recognize and avoid them to ensure that our reasoning is sound and our arguments are valid.


2024-06-16 17:21:11

Julian Davis

Works at the International Maritime Organization, Lives in London, UK.
In philosophy, a formal fallacy, deductive fallacy, logical fallacy or non sequitur (Latin for "it does not follow") is a pattern of reasoning rendered invalid by a flaw in its logical structure that can neatly be expressed in a standard logic system, for example propositional logic.
2023-06-14 05:18:25

Eliza Gonzales

QuesHub.com delivers expert answers and knowledge to you.
In philosophy, a formal fallacy, deductive fallacy, logical fallacy or non sequitur (Latin for "it does not follow") is a pattern of reasoning rendered invalid by a flaw in its logical structure that can neatly be expressed in a standard logic system, for example propositional logic.
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