IM – 7 | 1
Chapter 7
Induction Fallacies
Chapter Recap
The fallacies in this chapter are inductive fallacies—arguments that offer at best only weak
support for their conclusions. We specifically examined the following:
• Hasty generalization—generalizing from too few cases or from samples that are too small
• Generalizing from exceptional cases—generalizing from cases that are exceptional or from
samples that are biased (skewed)
• Cum hoc, ergo propter hoc—thinking that simultaneity between two variables, in and of
itself, establishes a cause-and-effect connection between them
• Slippery slope—offering an argument resting on an unsupported warning that something
will progress by degrees to an undesirable outcome
• Untestable explanation—an argument based on an untestable explanation
Answers to Text Exercises [Note: In the text, items 1, 5, 10, 15, etc. are ▲
exercises.]
1. ▲h. Slippery slope
2. a. Generalizing from exceptional cases
3. c. Weak analogy
Education.
