Fallacy of the composition

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The fallacy of the composition (also fallacy of the generalization , Latin fallacia compositionis ) describes in traditional logic the wrong conclusion from the individual parts to the whole. Example: “Atoms are colorless. This rose is made up of atoms. So this rose is colorless. "

Even if the statement in the premises relates to each individual element of a totality, the conclusion of the statement to the totality itself is often inadmissible.

The opposite term, the wrong conclusion from the whole to its parts, is called the fallacy of division .

The logical error Sensus compositi et divisi is related to this fallacy .

Examples

  • Each of these flowers is beautiful. Together they make a beautiful bouquet.
  • The best possible football team consists of the eleven best individual players.
  • Sodium is toxic, chlorine is toxic, so sodium chloride is toxic.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c d Normand Baillargeon: A Short Course in Intellectual Self-Defense: Find Your Inner Chomsky . Seven Stories Press 2007, p. 73.