Question

So far, all the men with whom I have come in contact, are selfish; why should I not infer, therefore, that man is selfish?

It involves the fallacy of

1. Petitio principii
2. Illicit generalization
3. Four terms
4. None of the above

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 2 : Illicit generalization

The correct answer is Illicit generalization.

• Illicit generalization: 
  • It is also called the Hasty or Overgeneralization Fallacy.
  • In this fallacy, the person assumes the conclusion is true based on small evidence.
  • Example: Recently, some beggars in the street path looted a man. All beggars are just as clever behind innocent faces.
    • This example shows that based on one piece of evidence the person concludes all beggars as thieves and criminals.
    • Such type of fallacy must be avoided as it will be dangerous.

• Petitio Principii 
  • It is also called 'Begging the Question'.
  • In this fallacy, the person assumes the conclusion is true without any proof supporting it.
• 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.