Denying A Conjunct
Denying a conjunct is a fallacy when in the following form:
- It is not the case that both A is true and B is true.
- B is not true.
- Therefore, A is true.
The conclusion does not follow from the premises as it could be the case that A and B are both false.
An example of denying a conjunct would be:
- It is not the case that both I am at home and I am in the city.
- I am not at home.
- Therefore, I am in the city.
While the conclusion may be true, it does not follow from the premises. For all the reader knows, the declarant of the statement very well could neither be at home nor in the city, in which case the premises would be true but the conclusion false. This argument is still a fallacy even if the conclusion is true.
Read more about this topic: Non Sequitur (logic)
Famous quotes containing the words denying a and/or denying:
“The waste of moments sleeping,
The waste of pleasure weeping,
By denying and ignoring
The waste of nations warring.”
—Robert Frost (1874–1963)
“How vigilant we are! determined not to live by faith if we can avoid it; all the day long on the alert, at night we unwillingly say our prayers and commit ourselves to uncertainties. So thoroughly and sincerely are we compelled to live, reverencing our life, and denying the possibility of change. This is the only way, we say; but there are as many ways as there can be drawn radii from one centre. All change is a miracle to contemplate; but it is a miracle which is taking place every instant.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)