COM 204 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Ad Hominem, Hasty Generalization, False Dilemma

• School: Cal Poly Pomona
• Department: Communication
• Course: COM 204
• Professor: Richard Kirkham

Document Summary

You have committed the error of jumping to a conclusion. Two tests of argument from generalization: the generalization must be made on the basis of a sufficient number of cases, and the cases must compose a representative sample of all cases. Fallacy: occurs when the claim is not warranted, either because insufficient cases were used or because they constitute a non-representative sample. Avoiding: avoiding the fallacy of hasty generalization underscores the importance of our earlier suggestions that arguers include all elements of the primary triad in the toulmin model of argument and that they back their warrants. Because generalization is one of the most frequently used forms of reasoning, you are well advised to examine very carefully the generalizations you make and hear: transfer. Transfers extend reasoning beyond what is logically possible. There are three common types of transfer: fallacy of composition. Occur when a claim asserts that what is true of a part is true of the whole.