Thứ Hai, 19 tháng 11, 2012

Entry 4_Hoàng Thị Mỹ Hạnh



Item 1

Joan is scratched by a cat while visiting her friend. Two days later she comes down with a fever. Joan concludes that the cat's scratch must be the cause of her illness.

Analysis:

Premise 1: Joan is scratched by a cat.
Premise 2: She comes down with a fever.
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Conclusion: The cat’s scratch makes her ill.

=>     Post-hoc fallacy
There is no causal relationship between the cat’s scratch and Joan’s illness. It can be true if after being scratch, Joan was in completely sterile condition. 


Item 2




Analysis:

Premise 1: Saddam committed 9/11.
Hidden premise:  The event 9/11 is a disaster, Saddam is dangerous.
Premise 2: Bush caught Saddam.
__________________________________
Conclusion: Bush made America safe.

=>   Hasty generalization: Assuming that safe is only without terrorists. Moreover, “safe” itself is an ambiguous word.


Item 3


Analysis:

Premise 1: Two is a number
Premise 2: One is a number
______________________
Conclusion: One is two

=>    Structural fallacy

All S are P
a is P
_________________
Therefore a is S

Source: http://niyamaklogic.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/fallcy.jpg?w=220&h=167

6 nhận xét:

  1. item 3: i think it's not the structural fallacy you've analysed but it has a hidden premise: different numbers have different values. So 1 does not equal 2

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  2. In item 3, I agree with Hanh. It is structural fallacy

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  3. In first item, fallacy should be hasty generalization in stead of post-hoc. Because, in fact scratches by cat can cause rabies, and fever is one of symptoms of cat rabies. That's why the conclusion of Joan about her sickness (before aksing doctor) may be hasty.

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    1. As far as I know, only a cat's scratch cannot cause rabies. If the cat did not bite you and its saliva did not get into your bloodstream, it is unlikely you would get rabies.

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  4. item 3: i gree with Dương Nguyên Xuân, it is the same structure and it has a hidden premise: different numbers have different values.

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  5. I think there is a hidden premise in item3: every number has its own value

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