Improper Premise
🧠Psych - 101 / ?
Hello!
Today, we start with the Fallacy of Improper Premise.
What is it?
It is an unstated assumption that is assumed by a conclusion but it is not stated in the reasoning.
Examples -
For example,
If the streets are wet, it has rained recently. (premise)
The streets are wet. (premise)
Therefore it has rained recently. (conclusion)
This argument is logically valid. But its premises are not always true.Â
Where does it occur?
The people who like to talk ‘in favor of’ of a certain argument or a thing are likely to be prone to this fallacy.
Your ability to form a conclusion is, therefore, may not factor in the premise.
Why do I need to know?
A simple logical analysis will not reveal the error in the argument, since that analysis must accept the truth of the argument's premises.
For this reason, an argument based on false premises can be much more difficult to refute, or even discuss, than one featuring a normal logical error, as the truth of its premises must be established to the satisfaction of all parties.
Takeaways: -
An argument from false premises is a line of reasoning which can lead to wrong results.
Your ability to form a conclusion is, therefore, may not factor in the premise.
References & Studies: -
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_premise
Like reading about Psychological Biases? Check out The Psych Handbook.
Looking for previous issues? Take a look at the Archives.