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Why is the argument deceptive? Choose the correct answer below. A. The argument states the conclusion before the premise. B. The conclusion is drawn from an inadequate number of cases. C. The lack of knowledge about the truth of a proposition is used as proof. D. The premise tells us one thing hanened before another, but doesn't prove any connection between them.

Ask by Lyons Ball. in the United States
Jan 23,2025

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Answer

The argument is deceptive because it assumes something is true simply because it hasn't been proven false.

Solution

The most accurate answer is: **C. The lack of knowledge about the truth of a proposition is used as proof.** **Explanation:** This option describes the **argument from ignorance** (also known as *argumentum ad ignorantiam*). This fallacy occurs when someone argues that a proposition is true simply because it has not been proven false, or vice versa. Using the absence of evidence as evidence itself is deceptive because it shifts the burden of proof unfairly and does not provide valid reasoning to support the conclusion. **Why the other options are less appropriate:** - **A. The argument states the conclusion before the premise.** - This is more about the structure or presentation of the argument rather than its deceptive nature. An argument can state the conclusion first to clarify the point but still be logically sound. - **B. The conclusion is drawn from an inadequate number of cases.** - While this describes a **hasty generalization**, which is indeed deceptive, option C more directly addresses the issue of using lack of knowledge as proof. - **D. The premise tells us one thing happened before another, but doesn't prove any connection between them.** - This describes the **post hoc ergo propter hoc** fallacy (false cause). Although it's a deceptive form of reasoning, option C more specifically addresses the misuse of lack of evidence. **Therefore, option C best explains why the argument is deceptive.**

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The argument is deceptive because the conclusion is drawn from an inadequate number of cases. This means that the evidence being used to support the conclusion is not sufficient, leading to a potentially misleading or faulty reasoning. It's like trying to sketch a picture of the whole forest by only observing a couple of trees! Additionally, a common pitfall in such arguments is to confuse correlation with causation. Just because two events happen in sequence does not mean one causes the other. Often, it's just a matter of coincidence or other underlying factors at play! Always dig a little deeper to uncover the true relationship!

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