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From Stephen's Guide (8)
Fallacies Involving Statistical Syllogisms
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A statistical generalization is a statement which is usually true, but not always
true. Very often these are expressed using the word "most", as in "Most
conservatives favour welfare cuts." Sometimes the word "generally" s used, as in
"Conservatives generally favour welfare cuts." Or, sometimes, no specific word is
used at all, as in: "Conservatives favour welfare cuts."
Fallacies involving statistical generalizations occur because the generalization is not
always true. Thus, when an author treats a statistical generalization as though it
were always true, the author commits a fallacy.
1. Accident
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Definition:
A general rule is applied when circumstances suggest that an
exception to the rule should apply.
Examples:
(i) The law says that you should not travel faster than 50
kph, thus even though your father could not breathe, you
should not have travelled faster than 50 kph.
(ii) It is good to return things you have borrowed. Therefore,
you should return this automatic rifle from the madman you
borrowed it from. (Adapted from Plato's Republic, Book I).
Proof:
Identify the generalization in question and show that it is not
a universal generalization. Then show that the circumstances
of this case suggest that the generalization ought not to apply
2. Converse Accident
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Definition:
An exception to a generalization is applied to cases where the
generalization should apply.
Examples:
(i) Because we allow terminally ill patients to use heroin, we
should allow everyone to use heroin.
(ii) Because you allowed Jill, who was hit by a truck, to
hand in her assignment late, you should allow the entire
class to hand in their assignments late.
Proof:
Identify the generalization in question and show how the
special case was an exception to the generalization
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发表于 2003-6-26 15:34:00
