All-Seeing AI

fallacy

Fallacy of division

Also called: Division fallacy

The fallacy of division assumes that what is true of a whole must be true of each of its parts.

How it works

It is the mirror image of composition. A group's average, reputation or character is applied to every individual member.

Examples

"The company is very profitable, so every department must be making money."
Some departments can lose money while the company as a whole profits.
"That university is world-class, so every course there is excellent."
Overall reputation does not guarantee the quality of each course.

How to spot it

  • A property of a group applied to each member.
  • Averages treated as describing individuals.
  • Reputation transferred from an institution to its parts.

How to respond

  • Ask for evidence about the specific part or person.
  • Point out variation within the group.
  • Distinguish averages from individual cases.

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