Top-down justification:
Definition | Example |
An argument of the following form. Group “A” has positive quality “x” and member “a” belongs to group “A”. Therefore member “a” has negative quality “x”. | Bankers are nice people, and since my neighbor is a banker, he must be a nice guy. |
Also known as: a dicto secundum quid ad dictum simpliciter / proof by example | |
Notes | |
A more detailed treatment of this fallacy can be found on the supplementary Inductive Errors page. |
Case Study One
Most people offering to take your photo with your camera are just being nice, but in certain parts of the world, those who offer to take your photo may run away with your camera.
Keep in mind that a fallacious argument does not entail an erroneous position.