Division Fallacy
Spot the Fallacy Team
Team Content
The division fallacy assumes what is true of the whole must be true of each part.
The division fallacy assumes what is true of the whole must be true of each part.
Why it is a fallacy
A claim needs evidence that connects the reasons to the conclusion. This fallacy skips that connection or replaces it with a shortcut.
Examples
- The company is rich, so every employee is wealthy.
- The class scored high, so each student did well.
- The team is famous, therefore every player is famous.
How to respond
- Ask whether the property actually applies to each part.
- Check data at the individual level.
- Separate group outcomes from individual outcomes.
Related fallacies
FAQ
How is division different from composition?
Division goes from whole to parts; composition goes from parts to whole.
How do I spot division?
Look for claims that assume every member shares the group's property.
References
- Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fallacies)
- Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Logic and Critical Thinking)
- Nizkor Project (Fallacies)