Western Logic Formal Fallacy Part 2for NET, IAS, State-SET (KSET, WBSET, MPSET, etc.), GATE, CUET, Olympiads etc.
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Complete Video at – Western Logic - Formal & Informal Fallacy: Types of 6 Fallacies (Philosophy)
Fallacy
- When an argument fails to support its conclusion, that argument is termed as fallacious in nature.
- A fallacious argument is hence an erroneous argument.
- In other words, any error or mistake in an argument leads to a fallacy.
- So, the definition of fallacy is any argument which although seems correct but has an error committed in its reasoning.
- Hence, a fallacy is an error, a fallacious argument is an argument which has erroneous reasoning.
- In the words of Frege, the analytical philosopher, “it is a logician՚s task to identify the pitfalls in language.” Hence, logicians are concerned with the task of identifying fallacious arguments in logic which are also called as incorrect or invalid arguments.
- There are numerous fallacies but they are classified under two main heads;
- Formal Fallacies
- Informal Fallacies
- Formal Fallacies:
- Formal fallacies are those mistakes or errors which occur in the form of the argument.
- In other words, formal fallacies concern themselves with the form or the structure of the argument.
- Formal fallacies are present when there is a structural error in a deductive argument.
- It is important to note that formal fallacies always occur in a deductive argument.
- Formal Fallacies:
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There are of six types:
Fallacy of Four Terms
- A valid syllogism must contain three terms, each of which should be used in the same sense throughout, else it is a fallacy of four terms.
- This means, an argument must have only three terms. The three terms are; major term, middle term and minor term.
- Each of these terms should be used in the same sense throughout the argument (premises and conclusion) . For example;
- All dogs are cute
- All cats are animals
- Therefore, all dogs are animals
- Here, the argument has more than three terms; dogs, cute, cats and animals.
- Another name for this fallacy is Quaternio Terminorum.
- In short, when more than three or less than three terms are used in a syllogism then we have a formal fallacy which is called fallacy of four terms.
- Hence, a valid syllogism uses only three terms (not more, not less) .
The Fallacy of Undistributed Middle Term
- Undistributed middle term is a fallacy when the middle term of the syllogism in not distributed in either of the premises.
- For a valid syllogism, the middle term must be distributed in at least one of the premise.
- It could be either major premise or the minor premise.
- It is also important to note that the Middle term never appears in the conclusion in a valid syllogism.
- For example,
- All people are patriotic
- All Indians are patriotic
- Therefore, all Indians are people
- Here, the middle term, patriotic is neither distributed in the major premise, nor in the minor premise.
- So, although the argument looks valid, it is a fallacious argument.
The Fallacy of Illicit Process
- When a term distributed in the conclusion is not disturbed in the premises, we have a fallacy of undistributed term or illicit process
- This fallacy is further divided into two parts;
- Illicit Major
- Illicit Minor
Illicit Major
- When the major term distributed in the conclusion is not distributed in the major premise, we have Illicit major.
- For example, All dogs are mammals , No cats are dogs, Therefore, no cats are mammals
- Here, the major term (mammals) is distributed in the conclusion but it is not distributed in the major premise- All dogs are mammals.
Illicit Minor
- When the minor term distributed in the conclusion is not distributed in the minor premise, we have Illicit minor fallacy.
- For example,
- All traditionally religious people are old people
- All traditionally religious people are married people
- Therefore, all married people are old people
- Here, the minor term (married people) is distributed in the conclusion but it is not distributed in the minor premise- All traditionally religious people are married people.
MCQ
1. Formal fallacies are those which
Options:
A. Occur in the form of the argument
B. Occur in the structure of the argument
C. Both A and B
D. Occur in the content of the argument
Answer: C
2. When an argument has less than three terms, it commits the fallacy of
Options:
A. Fallacy of four terms
B. No fallacy is committed
C. Undistributed Middle term
D. None of these
Answer: A
3. When a term distributed in the conclusion is not disturbed in the premises, we have a fallacy of
Options:
A. Illicit Major
B. Illicit Minor
C. Illicit Process
D. Undistributed Middle term
Answer: C
- We learnt about:
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#Fallacyofillicitprocess
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✍ Manishika