Question

...
Sarah

Help to understand the disjunction fallacy

www.logicallyfallacious.com/tools/lp/Bo/LogicalFallacies/79/Disjunction-Fallacy

I am having trouble grasping the disjunction fallacy. I understand the concept of it, but I can't imagine when people would actually be making this mistake.

The examples given seem forced, as though they were designed by researchers to trip people up. I would never look at a bloke in the street and wonder "Is it more likely that he is a basketballer, or that he is either a basketballer or a jockey?"

Is there an example of a person committing the disjunction fallacy in an everyday situation, or in a real argument, rather than in response to a contrived scenario/quiz question?

Thank you,
Sarah
asked on Tuesday, Jan 29, 2019 05:47:02 PM by Sarah

Top Categories Suggested by Community

Comments

Want to get notified of all questions as they are asked? Update your mail preferences and turn on "Instant Notification."

Reason: Books I & II

This book is based on the first five years of The Dr. Bo Show, where Bo takes a critical thinking-, reason-, and science-based approach to issues that matter with the goal of educating and entertaining. Every chapter in the book explores a different aspect of reason by using a real-world issue or example.

Part one is about how science works even when the public thinks it doesn't. Part two will certainly ruffle some feathers by offering a reason- and science-based perspective on issues where political correctness has gone awry. Part three provides some data-driven advice for your health and well-being. Part four looks at human behavior and how we can better navigate our social worlds. In part five we put on our skeptical goggles and critically examine a few commonly-held beliefs. In the final section, we look at a few ways how we all can make the world a better place.

Get 20% off this book and all Bo's books*. Use the promotion code: websiteusers

* This is for the author's bookstore only. Applies to autographed hardcover, audiobook, and ebook.

Get the Book

Answers

...
Bo Bennett, PhD
0
Case in point. Many people will scoff at the idea of "magic." If an adult were to say the universe appeared by magic, others would likely see that person as having some kind of intellectual disability. However, if one were to say that the universe is here by God (like billions of people do), others wouldn't flinch. What is God? Magic + other characteristics. So what is more likely to exist... God or magic? Most people would say God, but the logical answer is magic. This is the disjunction fallacy in action.
answered on Tuesday, Jan 29, 2019 08:47:32 PM by Bo Bennett, PhD

Comments

...
noblenutria@gmail.com
0
I will try to make some.

My car was broken into... What is more likely? The thief was a homeless guy? Or the thief was a homeless guy who was on crack? It was more likely a homeless guy because there are more homeless guys than homeless guys who are also on crack.

The phone rings... What is more likely? The caller is a woman? Or the caller is a woman calling about the money you owe the IRS? It is more likely a woman because there are more women than women collecting taxes.

What is more likely? A man taking a woman? Or a man talking to a beautiful woman? Beautiful women are women so he is more likely talking to a woman.

answered on Wednesday, Jan 30, 2019 02:43:39 AM by noblenutria@gmail.com

Comments

...
Bill
-1
We encounter this fallacy quite often. You must either be a Democrat or a Republican - wrong, there are other choices. You must buy this car now or it will be gone and you won't be able to get a car - wrong.

But it's not always a fallacy. Sometimes there are only two choices.
answered on Wednesday, Jan 30, 2019 08:43:07 AM by Bill

Comments