Question

Thirteen is one number.

Six and seven are thirteen

Therefore six and seven are one number.

This involves the fallacy of

1. Composition
2. Division
3. Four terms
4. None of the above

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 2 : Division

The correct answer is Division.

• Thirteen is one number. Six and seven are thirteen. Therefore six and seven are one number is an example of the Four-term fallacy.
• Division: 
  • It is a reverse of the Fallacy of Composition.
  • In this fallacy, what is true about whole parts of an object, then it is true for the parts of the whole.
  • Example: The boys in my neighbourhood like to play cricket. So my new neighbour, John, will like to play cricket with them.

• Four Terms:
  • Quaternion Terminorum is a Latin term meaning Fallacy of four terms.
  • This fallacy occurs when a syllogism has 4 terms rather than 3.
  • It includes statistical syllogism, hypothetical syllogism, and categorical syllogism.
  • Example: All men are robots, All robots are cars, All cars are buses.
    • In this example, there are four terms: Men, Robots, Cars, and Buses.
      • This makes the statement invalid as it requires one term common to both premises.
• Composition:
  • It is the reverse of the Fallacy of Division.
  • In this fallacy, what is true or correct about some parts of an object, then it is applied to whole parts of the object.
  • Example: Because all of the components of this car are heavy, then the car itself must also be heavy.