Hetvabhasas (Fallacies of Inference) MCQ Quiz in मल्याळम - Objective Question with Answer for Hetvabhasas (Fallacies of Inference) - സൗജന്യ PDF ഡൗൺലോഡ് ചെയ്യുക

Last updated on Mar 14, 2025

നേടുക Hetvabhasas (Fallacies of Inference) ഉത്തരങ്ങളും വിശദമായ പരിഹാരങ്ങളുമുള്ള മൾട്ടിപ്പിൾ ചോയ്സ് ചോദ്യങ്ങൾ (MCQ ക്വിസ്). ഇവ സൗജന്യമായി ഡൗൺലോഡ് ചെയ്യുക Hetvabhasas (Fallacies of Inference) MCQ ക്വിസ് പിഡിഎഫ്, ബാങ്കിംഗ്, എസ്എസ്‌സി, റെയിൽവേ, യുപിഎസ്‌സി, സ്റ്റേറ്റ് പിഎസ്‌സി തുടങ്ങിയ നിങ്ങളുടെ വരാനിരിക്കുന്ന പരീക്ഷകൾക്കായി തയ്യാറെടുക്കുക

Latest Hetvabhasas (Fallacies of Inference) MCQ Objective Questions

Top Hetvabhasas (Fallacies of Inference) MCQ Objective Questions

Hetvabhasas (Fallacies of Inference) Question 1:

Which of the following argument is an example of the fallacy of Vyapyatvasiddha according to Nyaya (classical Indian school of Logic)?

  1. Sound is quality because it is visible
  2. Sound is eternal, because it is audible.
  3. Fire is cold because it is a substance
  4. Wherever there is fire, there is smoke.

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4 : Wherever there is fire, there is smoke.

Hetvabhasas (Fallacies of Inference) Question 1 Detailed Solution

Wherever there is fire, there is smoke - tihs argument is an example of the fallacy of Vyapyatvasiddha according to Nyaya (classical Indian school of Logic).

Key Points

Fallacy of Vyapyatvasiddha:

  • The fallacy of Vyapyatvasiddha, according to Nyaya (a classical Indian school of Logic), is the fallacy of the "universality of concomitance."
  • It occurs when one assumes that a property must always accompany its characteristic concomitant, or vice versa, without considering any exceptions or conditions.
  • This argument assumes that wherever there is fire, smoke must always be present, without considering any exceptions or conditions.
  • However, this argument is not necessarily true, as there may be instances where fire can exist without producing smoke, such as in certain stages of a fire or under specific environmental conditions.
  • The fallacy lies in making a universal claim without accounting for any exceptions or variations in the relationship between fire and smoke.

Hence, the correct answer is Wherever there is fire, there is smoke.

Hetvabhasas (Fallacies of Inference) Question 2:

When the middle is not uniformly related to the major term a defective hetu took place. It is known as

  1. Savyabhichara
  2. Viruddha
  3. Satpratipaksha
  4. Badhita

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1 : Savyabhichara

Hetvabhasas (Fallacies of Inference) Question 2 Detailed Solution

The fallacy (hetvabhasha) produced when the middle is not uniformly related to the major term a defective hetu took place is known as Savyabhichara

Fallacy (hetvabhasha):

  • It is a middle term or appears to a reason but not a valid reason.
  • There are five fallacies lead by the violation in fallacies of inference. These are
    1. Savyabhichara
    2. Viruddha
    3. Satpratipaksha
    4. Asiddha
    5. Badhita

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Savyabhichara:

  • The fallacy of irregular middle
  • A middle term may be irregularly related to the major term.
  • When the middle is not uniformly related to the major term then that is called savyabhicâra hetu.
  • It is a defective hetu.


For example:

  • All bipeds are rational.
  • Swans are bipeds.
  • Therefore, swans are rational.


Hence, option 1 is the correct answer.

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Fallacy Definition

Viruddha

  • It is a contradictory middle. It offered to the existence of Sadhya but actually establishes the non-existence of Sadhya.
  • Sound is eternal because it is produced.

Satpratipaksha

  • It is inferentially contradicted middle.
  • When the hetu is advanced to establish a particular Sadhya in inference is validly contradicted by another Hetu that proves the non-existence of Sadhya of the first inference.
  • Sound is eternal because it is audible

Badhita

  • Non-inferential contradicted middle. The middle term is contradicted by a strong perception or testimony.
  • Fire is cold because it is a substance.

Hetvabhasas (Fallacies of Inference) Question 3:

In the argument, 'sky flower is fragrant because it is a lotus' e.g. which ever is lotus, is fragrant e.g. lotus growing in that pond?

Mention the type of fallacy from the following:

  1. Swaroopa̅sidha
  2. Ashryasidha
  3. Vyaptytvasidha
  4. Virudha

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : Ashryasidha

Hetvabhasas (Fallacies of Inference) Question 3 Detailed Solution

In the argument, 'sky flower is fragrant because it is a lotus' e.g. whichever is a lotus, is fragrant e.g. lotus growing in that pond. The type of fallacy is Ashryasidha.

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Hetvabhasa is a Sanskrit term that means fallacy in the English language. A fallacy occurs when the middle term appears to be the reason but it is not a valid reason.

Asiddha Hetvabhasa, also known as Sadhya Sama is further divided into three kinds: Ashryasidha, Svarupasiddha, and Vyapvyatvasiddha.

1. Ashraya Siddha

  • When the minor term used in the argument is not real.
  • So, the minor term is the locus of the middle term but when the minor term is unreal, the middle term cannot be present in it. In short, it is that reason whose subject is unknown. 
  • For example; sky-lotus is fragrant, because it is a lotus, like the lotus of the pond. Here the subject, sky-lotus, is a non-existing thing and so unknown.

Thus, option 2 is the correct answer.

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1. Swaroopa̅sidha: It occurs when the minor term is not unreal but because of the very nature of the middle term, the middle term cannot be present in the minor term. For example; the sound is quality because it can be seen. Here the sound is the minor term, it is real but the middle term 'seen' cannot be present in the minor term 'sound' because sound cannot be seen, it can be heard.

2. Vyaptytvasidha: It occurs when the vyapti instead of being unconditional in nature is conditional (sopadhika). For example, whenever there is fire there is smoke. Here, the vyapti is conditional in nature because there are some cases where there is fire without smoke, like, a red hot iron ball. 

3. Viruddha: It occurs when we have contradicted the middle term. For example, the sound is eternal, because it is produced. Instead of proving the major term, the middle term proves the opposite.

Hetvabhasas (Fallacies of Inference) Question 4:

What type of fallacy is implied in the following

"Fire is cold, because it is a substance"

  1. Badhita
  2. Virudha
  3. Asadharna
  4. Anupsamhan

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1 : Badhita

Hetvabhasas (Fallacies of Inference) Question 4 Detailed Solution

"Fire is cold because it is a substance" - Badhita fallacy is implied in this case.

Fallacy (hetvabhasha):

  • It is a middle term or appears to a reason but not a valid reason.
  • There are five fallacies lead by the violation in fallacies of inference. These are
    1. Savyabhichara
    2. Viruddha
    3. Satpratipaksha
    4. Asiddha
    5. Badhita
Fallacy Definition Example

Savyabhichara

A middle term not uniformly but irregularly related to the major term. It is a defective hetu.

All bipeds are dogs.

Birds are biped. 

therefore, birds are dogs. 

Viruddha

It is a contradictory middle. It offered to the existence of Sadhya but actually establishes the non-existence of Sadhya. Sound is eternal because it is produced.

Satpratipaksha

It is inferentially contradicted middle. When the hetu is advanced to establish a particular Sadhya in inference is validly contradicted by another Hetu that proves the non-existence of Sadhya of the first inference. Sound is eternal because it is audible

Asiddha

It is the unproved middle. It is not yet proven but needs to be proved. Dog tests better because dog has a strong ability to test like a human.

Badhita

Non-inferential contradicted middle. The middle term is contradicted by a strong perception or testimony. Fire is cold because it is a substance.

Hetvabhasas (Fallacies of Inference) Question 5:

If it is raining, then the ground is wet. The ground is wet. Therefore, it is raining.

Which of the following is the formal fallacy committed in the above argument?

  1. Affirming the consequent
  2. Denying the antecedent
  3. Existential fallacy
  4. Drawing affirmative conclusion from negative premises

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1 : Affirming the consequent

Hetvabhasas (Fallacies of Inference) Question 5 Detailed Solution

Key Points If it is raining, then the ground is wet. The ground is wet. Therefore, it is raining.

  • This question commits the affirming the consequent fallacy.
  • The first premise is "If it is raining, then the ground is wet".
  • The second premise is "The ground is wet". The conclusion is "It is raining".
  • The fallacy occurs because the second premise affirms the consequent of the first premise.
  • This means that the conclusion is no longer supported by the premises. In other words, the conclusion could be false even if the premises are true.

Hetvabhasas (Fallacies of Inference) Question 6:

To infer causality, all of the following must be present except:

  1. two variables must covary.
  2. one variable must occur prior in time to the other variable.
  3. there must be a positive relationship between the two variables.
  4. the relationship between the two variables must not be spurious.

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : there must be a positive relationship between the two variables.

Hetvabhasas (Fallacies of Inference) Question 6 Detailed Solution

The correct answer is option 3

Key Points

  • The three criteria for causality are:
  • 1. The cause must come before the effect.
  • 2. The two variables must occur together.
  • 3. The link between the two variables cannot be explained by the influence of any other variable.
  • There are three conditions for causality: covariation, temporal precedence, and control for “third variables.” The latter comprise alternative explanations for the observed causal relationship.
  • To establish causality you need to show three things–that X came before Y, that the observed relationship between X and Y didn’t happen by chance alone, and that there is nothing else that accounts for the X -> Y relationship.

Therefore, the correct answer is there must be a positive relationship between the two variables.

Hetvabhasas (Fallacies of Inference) Question 7:

From the following identify those which illustrate the fallacy of the irregular middle ?

A. Ashrayasidha

B. Asadharna

C. Vyapyatvasidha

D. Sadharna

E. Anupasamhari

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

  1. A, B and C only
  2. B, C and D only
  3. B, D and E only
  4. C, D and E only

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : B, D and E only

Hetvabhasas (Fallacies of Inference) Question 7 Detailed Solution

Meaning of fallacy

  • The fallacy is the English term, which means Hetvabhasa in Sanskrit.
  • In other words, in Indian logic, a fallacy is called Hetvabhasa.
  • A fallacy occurs when the middle term appears to be the reason but it is not a valid reason.
  • There are five kinds of fallacies according to Nyaya school.
  • All five fallacies are regarded as material fallacies.
  • Material fallacies occur when the reasoning is unsound because of an error concerning the subject matter of the argument.

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Savyabhicara Hetvabhasa:

  • It is also known as anaikantika.
  • It is also called the fallacy of irregular middle term.
  • It is of three kind: Sadharna, Asadharna and Anupasamhari

 

Types of Savyabhicara fallacy Characteristics
Sadharna
  • It occurs when the middle term is too wide in nature
  • It present in both positive and negative instances
  • It violets the rule that middle term should not be present in negative instances
  • For example, the hill has fire because it is knowable. Knowable can be present in both fiery and non-fiery objects.
Asadharna
  • It occurs when the middle term is too narrow in nature
  • It present only in Paksa, and neither in sapaksa nor in vipaksa
  • It violated the rule that the middle term must be present in paksa
  • For example, the sound is eternal because it is audible
Anupasamhari
  • It occurs when the middle term is non-exclusive
  • The minor term I s all-inclusive and leaves nothing by the sapaksa and vipaksa
  • For example, all things are non-eternal because they are knowable


Important Points

The five kinds of fallacies are:

​Asiddha Hetvabhasa:

  • Also known as Sadhyasama.
  • It is the fallacy of unproved middle term.
  • It occurs when the middle term is not present in the minor term.
  • It is further divided into three kind Ashryasiddha, Svarupasiddha, and Vyapvyatvasiddha


Hence, B, D, and E are correct options.

Hetvabhasas (Fallacies of Inference) Question 8:

Which of the following fallacy is an attempt to protect one’s claim from any potential refutations and thus preserve their existing beliefs?

  1. Ad Populum
  2. Ad Hominem
  3. Ad hoc
  4. Ad misericordiam

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : Ad hoc

Hetvabhasas (Fallacies of Inference) Question 8 Detailed Solution

The correct solution is "Ad hoc"

Important Points

Fallacy is invalid or otherwise faulty reasoning, or "wrong moves" in the construction of an argument. A fallacious argument may be deceptive by appearing to be better than it really is.

 A fallacy can be of two types:

  • Formal fallacy: arguments that have invalid structure or form.
  • Informal fallacy: arguments that have incorrect or irrelevant premises.

In the above question, the fallacies given are informal fallacies.
Key PointsAd hoc:

  •  An ad hoc argument isn't really a logical fallacy, but it is a fallacious rhetorical strategy that is common and often hard to spot. 
  • It occurs when someone's claim is threatened with counter-evidence, so they come up with a rationale to dismiss the counter-evidence, hoping to protect their original claim
  • Ad hoc fallacy is a fallacious rhetorical strategy in which a person presents a new explanation – that is unjustified or simply unreasonable – of why their original belief or hypothesis is correct after evidence that contradicts the previous explanation has emerged.
  • As such, it’s an attempt to protect one’s claim from any potential refutations and thus preserve their existing beliefs.
  • Furthermore, the explanation is specifically constructed to be used in a particular case and is created hastily at the moment rather than being the result of deliberate, fact-based reasoning.

Hence, option 3 is the correct answer.

Additional Information

Ad Hominem

  • It is also known as Argumentum ad hominem (argument against the person)
  • This fallacy occurs when, instead of addressing someone's argument or position, you irrelevantly attack the person or some aspect of the person who is making the argument. 
  • It's an insult used as if it were an argument or evidence in support of a conclusion. For example:
  • Ravi teaches youth to speak the truth but his son lies.
  • Mr. X is wrong in what he said because he is undisciplined by nature

Ad Populum:

  • Ad Populum is also known as Argumentum ad Populum (Appeal to people/emotions) Appealing to popularity
  • It is a fallacious argument that concludes that a proposition must be true because many or most people believe it, often encapsulated as If many believe so, it is so. 
  • For example, This girl should come first because she is cute and beautiful.

Ad Misericordia:

  • (Appeal to pity) in which someone tries to win support for an argument or idea by exploiting his or her opponent's feelings of pity or guilt.
  • It is a specific kind of appeal to emotion. 
  • For example, you should not find the defendant guilty of murder, since it would break his poor mother's heart to see him sent to jail"

Hetvabhasas (Fallacies of Inference) Question 9:

"Mr. X is penniless. Therefore, he should be preferred for admission to college". This reasoning represents which kind of fallacy?

  1. Ad hominem
  2. Ad misericordiam
  3. Ad baculum
  4. Ignoratio elenchi

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : Ad misericordiam

Hetvabhasas (Fallacies of Inference) Question 9 Detailed Solution

"Mr. X is penniless. Therefore, he should be preferred for admission to college". This reasoning represents Ad misericordiam.

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Ad misericordiam (appeal to pity): An appeal to pity is a fallacy in which someone tries to win support for an argument or idea by exploiting his or her opponent's feelings of pity or guilt. It is a specific kind of appeal to emotion.

  • The name "Galileo argument" refers to the scientist's suffering as a result of his house arrest by the Inquisition.
  • Examples: "You should not find the defendant guilty of murder, since it would break his poor mother's heart to see him sent to jail." The argument attempts to persuade by provoking irrelevant feelings of sympathy.
  • Another example: Mr. X is penniless. Therefore, he should be preferred for admission to the college.

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1. Ad hominem: Ad hominem, short for argumentum ad hominem, refers to several types of arguments, some but not all of which are fallacious.

  • Typically, this term refers to a rhetorical strategy where the speaker attacks the character, motive, or some other attribute of the person making an argument rather than attacking the substance of the argument itself.
  • This avoids genuine debate by creating a diversion to some irrelevant but often highly charged issues.
  • Ad hominem means “against the man,” and this type of fallacy is sometimes called name-calling or the personal attack fallacy. This type of fallacy occurs when someone attacks the person instead of attacking his or her argument.
  • An example is a dialogue at the court, where the attorney cross-examines an eyewitness, bringing to light the fact that the witness was convicted in the past for lying. This might suggest the conclusion that the witness should not be trusted, which would not be a fallacy.
  • Another example, Person A: I am for raising the minimum wage in our state, Person B: She is for raising the minimum wage, but she is not smart enough to even run a business.

2. Ad baculum: Argumentum ad baculum is the fallacy committed when one makes an appeal to force or threat of force to bring about the acceptance of a conclusion. One participates in argumentum ad baculum when one points out the negative consequences of holding the contrary position.

  •  Example -believe what I say, or I will hit you. It is a specific case of the negative form of an argument to the consequences.
  • Another example:
    • General: "If we capitulate, the enemy will take the chance to slaughter us all".
    • Colonel: "So far they have treated captives adequately."
    • General: "This time they won't. And you better believe me if you don't want to find yourself rotting in a mass grave."

3. Ignoratio elenchi: An irrelevant conclusion, also known as ignoratio elenchi or missing the point, is the informal fallacy of presenting an argument that may or may not be logically valid and sound, but fails to address the issue in question. It falls into the broad class of relevance fallacies.

  • Example: Hippos can't be dangerous to humans, because they are so calm and look so cute. Proving an irrelevant conclusion.
  • The President's policies on healthcare may be popular, but he is secretly a Nazi and should probably be investigated.

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In the sentence "Mr. X is penniless. Therefore, he should be preferred for admission to college", someone is trying to win the argument by exploiting the feeling or financial condition of the opponent. It is a special kind of appeal to emotion. Hence, option (2) is correct.

Hetvabhasas (Fallacies of Inference) Question 10:

When the content that we have previously learned interferes with the recall of something newly learned then the interference is:

  1. Retroactive Inhibition
  2. Proactive Inhibition
  3. Attention Inhibition
  4. Response Inhibition

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : Proactive Inhibition

Hetvabhasas (Fallacies of Inference) Question 10 Detailed Solution

The correct answer is 'Proactive Inhibition'

Key Points

  • Proactive Inhibition:
    • Proactive inhibition occurs when previously learned information interferes with the ability to learn and recall new information.
    • This type of interference happens because old memories disrupt the formation of new ones.
    • For example, if you have learned to drive a manual car and then try to learn to drive an automatic car, the habits from driving the manual car might interfere with learning to drive the automatic car.

Additional Information

  • Retroactive Inhibition:
    • Retroactive inhibition is the opposite of proactive inhibition. It occurs when new information interferes with the recall of previously learned information.
    • An example is learning a new phone number, which might make it harder to remember an old phone number.
  • Attention Inhibition:
    • Attention inhibition refers to the ability to tune out irrelevant stimuli or information to focus on the task at hand.
    • It plays a crucial role in attention control and cognitive processes.
  • Response Inhibition:
    • Response inhibition is the ability to suppress inappropriate or unwanted behaviors or responses.
    • This is an essential executive function that helps in self-control and impulse management.
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