Which of the following is not an example of a logical fallacy?

Question

Which of the following is not an example of a logical fallacy?

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

A universal premise implies a deductively valid conclusion: if every coin in the bag is a penny, then drawing any coin from the bag must yield a penny.

1) Relevant concepts
- Deductive validity: an argument is valid if the conclusion necessarily follows from the premises.
- Soundness: a valid argument with true premises is sound (and therefore not fallacious).
- Common informal fallacies: false dilemma, anecdotal/hasty generalization, slippery slope, appeal to popularity.

2) Step-by-step reasoning
- Premise: "All of the coins in the bag are pennies." This can be formalized as ∀x (CoinInBag(x) → Penny(x)).
- Choose an arbitrary object c that is a coin in the bag: CoinInBag(c).
- From the universal premise and CoinInBag(c) we infer Penny(c) by universal instantiation and modus ponens.
- Therefore the conclusion "if you pull a coin from the bag it will be a penny" follows necessarily from the premise. The inference is deductively valid. If the premise is true, the argument is sound.

3) Intermediate logical steps (explicit)
- Universal statement: for every coin x in the bag, x is a penny.
- Instance: let the drawn coin be x0; since x0 is in the bag, by the universal statement x0 is a penny.
- Conclusion: the drawn coin will be a penny.

4) Why this is not a fallacy
- A logical fallacy involves invalid reasoning or misleading inference. Here the conclusion is a direct, necessary consequence of the premise, so there is no invalid inference.

5) Why the other options are fallacies
- "We either raise tuition or reduce services" — false dilemma (ignores other alternatives).
- "Paranormal activity is real because I experienced it" — anecdotal/hasty generalization (insufficient evidence).
- "Legalizing prostitution ... destruction of civilization" — slippery slope (unsupported causal chain).
- "Budweiser is the best selling beer... therefore it is the best beer" — appeal to popularity (popularity ≠ quality).

6) Conclusion
The correct answer is "all of the coins in the bag are pennies, therefore if you pull a coin from the bag it will be a penny," which is not an example of a logical fallacy because the conclusion validly and necessarily follows from the universal premise. This matches the provided answer.

Which of the following is not an example of a logical fallacy?Single choice

Similar Questions

Which logical fallacies rely on the (incorrect) assumption that the age of an idea/practice/remedy supports the validity of the idea? i) Appeal to ignorance ii) Argument from antiquity iii) Argument from authority iv) Appeal to novelty v) Ad hominem

Which logical fallacies rely on the (incorrect) assumption that characteristics of a person who proposes or believes in an idea affect the validity of the idea? i) Appeal to ignorance ii) Argument from antiquity iii) Argument from authority iv) Appeal to novelty v) Ad hominem

Which logical fallacies rely on the (incorrect) assumption that characteristics of a person who proposes or believes in an idea affect the validity of the idea? i) Appeal to ignorance ii) Argument from antiquity iii) Argument from authority iv) Appeal to novelty v) Ad hominem

Which logical fallacies rely on the (incorrect) assumption that the age of an idea/practice/remedy supports the validity of the idea? i) Appeal to ignorance ii) Argument from antiquity iii) Argument from authority iv) Appeal to novelty v) Ad hominem

Ad Hominem

Which of the following conversions results in the formation of a different shape around the carbon atom?

Consider compound X which is an ester:X reacted with hot aqueous sodium hydroxide solution and formed compounds M and N. X reacted with an aqueous sulfuric acid solution and produced compounds M and Q. M is a :

A compound, Y, when mixed with an aqueous solution of sodium carbonate, formed bubbles of gas. Compound Y:

More Practical Tools for Students Powered by AI Study Helper

Homework AI Solver

Stylized AI Paper Writer

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation AI Academic Writing Tool

In-Class Translation Assistant

AI Note Generator

AI Quiz Answers

Past Exam Questions from University Test Bank

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler