Accident (fallacy)
Encyclopedia
The logical fallacy of accident (also called destroying the exception or a dicto simpliciter ad dictum secundum quid) is a deductive
fallacy occurring in statistical syllogisms (an argument based on a generalization
) when an exception to a rule of thumb
is ignored. It is one of the thirteen fallacies originally identified by Aristotle
. The fallacy occurs when one attempts to apply a general rule to an irrelevant situation.
For instance:
It is easy to construct fallacious arguments by applying general statements to specific incidents that are obviously exceptions.
Generalizations that are weak generally have more exceptions (the number of exceptions to the generalization need not be a minority of cases) and vice versa.
This fallacy may occur when we confuse generalizations ("some") for categorical statements ("always and everywhere"). It may be encouraged when no qualifying words like "some", "many", "rarely" etc. are used to mark the generalization.
For example:
The premise above could be used in an argument concluding that all Germans or current Germans should be held responsible for the actions of the Nazis. Qualifying the first term
:
This premise may make it more obvious that it is making an (extremely weak) generalization and not a categorical rule.
Related inductive
fallacies include: overwhelming exception
, hasty generalization
. See faulty generalization
.
The opposing kind of dicto simpliciter
fallacy is the converse accident
.
Deductive reasoning
Deductive reasoning, also called deductive logic, is reasoning which constructs or evaluates deductive arguments. Deductive arguments are attempts to show that a conclusion necessarily follows from a set of premises or hypothesis...
fallacy occurring in statistical syllogisms (an argument based on a generalization
Generalization
A generalization of a concept is an extension of the concept to less-specific criteria. It is a foundational element of logic and human reasoning. Generalizations posit the existence of a domain or set of elements, as well as one or more common characteristics shared by those elements. As such, it...
) when an exception to a rule of thumb
Rule of thumb
A rule of thumb is a principle with broad application that is not intended to be strictly accurate or reliable for every situation. It is an easily learned and easily applied procedure for approximately calculating or recalling some value, or for making some determination...
is ignored. It is one of the thirteen fallacies originally identified by Aristotle
Aristotle
Aristotle was a Greek philosopher and polymath, a student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great. His writings cover many subjects, including physics, metaphysics, poetry, theater, music, logic, rhetoric, linguistics, politics, government, ethics, biology, and zoology...
. The fallacy occurs when one attempts to apply a general rule to an irrelevant situation.
For instance:
- Cutting people with a knife is a crime.
- Surgeons cut people with knives.
- Surgeons are criminals.
It is easy to construct fallacious arguments by applying general statements to specific incidents that are obviously exceptions.
Generalizations that are weak generally have more exceptions (the number of exceptions to the generalization need not be a minority of cases) and vice versa.
This fallacy may occur when we confuse generalizations ("some") for categorical statements ("always and everywhere"). It may be encouraged when no qualifying words like "some", "many", "rarely" etc. are used to mark the generalization.
For example:
- GermansGermansThe Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
are NazisNazismNazism, the common short form name of National Socialism was the ideology and practice of the Nazi Party and of Nazi Germany...
The premise above could be used in an argument concluding that all Germans or current Germans should be held responsible for the actions of the Nazis. Qualifying the first term
Major term
The major term is the predicate term of the conclusion of a categorical syllogism. It appears in the major premise along with the middle term and not the minor term. It is an end term .Example:...
:
- Some Germans are Nazis
This premise may make it more obvious that it is making an (extremely weak) generalization and not a categorical rule.
Related inductive
Inductive reasoning
Inductive reasoning, also known as induction or inductive logic, is a kind of reasoning that constructs or evaluates propositions that are abstractions of observations. It is commonly construed as a form of reasoning that makes generalizations based on individual instances...
fallacies include: overwhelming exception
Overwhelming exception
An overwhelming exception is a logical fallacy similar to a hasty generalization. It is a generalization that is accurate, but comes with one or more qualifications which eliminate so many cases that what remains is much less impressive than the initial statement might have led one to...
, hasty generalization
Hasty generalization
Hasty generalization is a logical fallacy of faulty generalization by reaching an inductive generalization based on insufficient evidence essentially making a hasty conclusion without considering all of the variables...
. See faulty generalization
Faulty generalization
A fallacy of defective induction reaches a conclusion from weak premises. Unlike fallacies of relevance, in fallacies of defective induction, the premises are related to the conclusions yet only weakly buttress the conclusions. A faulty generalization is thus produced...
.
The opposing kind of dicto simpliciter
Dicto simpliciter
A dicto simpliciter or ad dictum simpliciter are Latin phrases for a type of logical fallacy.A dicto simpliciter fallacies are deductive fallacies that occur in statistical syllogisms...
fallacy is the converse accident
Converse accident
The logical fallacy of converse accident is a deductive fallacy that can occur in a statistical syllogism when an exception to a generalization is wrongly called for.For example:The inductive version of this fallacy is called hasty generalization...
.