In the following argument, identify the premise and conclusion, explain why the argument is deceptive, and, if possible,
identify the type of fallacy it represents.
Miguel de Cervantes’s book Don Quixote is popular because an estimated 500 million copies have been sold since it
was published in 1612 .
Identify the premise. Choose the correct answer below.
A. Miguel de Cervantes’s book Don Quixote is popular.
B. An estimated 500 million copies have been sold since it was published in 1612 .
C. Everyone has read Don Quixote.
D. The number of years since 1612 .

Question

UpStudy AI · Accepted Answer

**Premise Identification:**

The correct premise in the argument is:

**B. An estimated 500 million copies have been sold since it was published in 1612.**

**Explanation:**

In the given argument:

- **Premise (Support):** "An estimated 500 million copies have been sold since it was published in 1612."
- **Conclusion (Claim):** "Miguel de Cervantes's book Don Quixote is popular."

The premise provides evidence to support the conclusion that *Don Quixote* is popular by citing the number of copies sold over time.

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**Why the Argument is Deceptive:**

The argument is deceptive because it assumes that the sheer number of copies sold directly equates to the book's popularity without considering other factors that might influence both sales and perceived popularity. This overlooks nuances such as:

1. **Historical Context:** *Don Quixote* was published in 1612, and sales over centuries can accumulate, but this doesn't necessarily reflect its standing in contemporary times.
2. **Cultural Significance vs. Popularity:** A book might be culturally seminal and widely distributed for educational or academic reasons, which doesn't always correlate with current popular appeal.
3. **Sales Figures Reliability:** Estimations of 500 million copies may not account for variations in record-keeping over centuries, translations, and differing editions.

By focusing solely on sales numbers, the argument ignores these complexities, leading to a potentially misleading conclusion about the book's popularity.

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**Type of Fallacy:**

The argument primarily exhibits an **Appeal to Popularity (Ad Populum)** fallacy. This fallacy occurs when something is deemed true or better solely because it is popular or widely accepted. In this case, the argument suggests that *Don Quixote* is popular simply because a large number of copies have been sold, without providing additional substantive reasons to support the claim of its popularity.

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**Summary:**

- **Premise:** B. An estimated 500 million copies have been sold since it was published in 1612.
- **Conclusion:** Miguel de Cervantes's book Don Quixote is popular.
- **Deceptiveness:** Relies solely on sales figures without considering other factors influencing popularity.
- **Fallacy Type:** Appeal to Popularity (Ad Populum)
**Premise:** An estimated 500 million copies have been sold since it was published in 1612. **Conclusion:** Miguel de Cervantes's book Don Quixote is popular. **Why Deceptive:** The argument assumes that high sales directly mean the book is popular without considering other factors like historical context or cultural significance. **Fallacy Type:** Appeal to Popularity (Ad Populum)

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