Undistributed middle
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| − | + | The '''Undistributed middle''' is a fallacy similar to to [[Equivocation]], except that instead of conflating definitions, two different things are equated due to a common middle ground that is misused. The argument is assuming that the set of Object-A that has the middle ground intersects with the set of Object-B that has the same middle ground. | |
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| − | The '''Undistributed middle''' is a | + | |
==Examples== | ==Examples== | ||
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* Example 1 | * Example 1 | ||
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* Example 3 | * Example 3 | ||
| − | :# All fish | + | :# All fish live in water. |
| − | :# All whales | + | :# All whales live in water. |
:# Therefore, all whales are fish (They're not - they're mammals) | :# Therefore, all whales are fish (They're not - they're mammals) | ||
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| + | {{Logical fallacies}} | ||
[[Category:Arguments]] | [[Category:Arguments]] | ||
[[Category:Logical fallacies]] | [[Category:Logical fallacies]] | ||
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Latest revision as of 10:14, 28 April 2011
The Undistributed middle is a fallacy similar to to Equivocation, except that instead of conflating definitions, two different things are equated due to a common middle ground that is misused. The argument is assuming that the set of Object-A that has the middle ground intersects with the set of Object-B that has the same middle ground.
Examples
- Example 1
- All cats use air.
- All gasoline engines use air.
- Therefore, all cats are gasoline engines.
- Example 2
- Science uses the word Theory.
- Creationism uses the word Theory.
- Thus, Creationism is science.
- Example 3
- All fish live in water.
- All whales live in water.
- Therefore, all whales are fish (They're not - they're mammals)
