"Number 3 is a prime number, so are numbers 5 and 7 Therefore, it is clear that all odd numbers are prime numbers." Which fallacy is committed in the above argument?

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Question

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UGC NET Paper 1: Held on 4th Mar 2023 Shift 2

Answer 1

Key Points

The fallacy committed in the above argument is Hasty Generalization.

Hasty Generalization:

A hasty generalization is an informal fallacy in which a conclusion is drawn from a sample that is too small to be representative of the population as a whole.
In this case, the author has only considered three odd numbers (3, 5, and 7) and concluded that all odd numbers are prime.
However, there are many other odd numbers, such as 9, 11, and 13, that are not prime. Therefore, the author's conclusion is not supported by the evidence.

The other options are incorrect:

Missing the point is a fallacy in which the author fails to address the main point of the argument. In this case, the author is clearly trying to argue that all odd numbers are prime. They are not missing the point, they are just making a hasty generalization.
Irrelevant conclusion is a fallacy in which the conclusion of the argument is not supported by the premises. In this case, the conclusion (all odd numbers are prime) is supported by the premises (3 is a prime number, 5 is a prime number, and 7 is a prime number). Therefore, the author is not committing an irrelevant conclusion fallacy.
Slippery slope is a fallacy in which the author argues that a small event will lead to a series of events that will eventually lead to a disastrous outcome. In this case, the author is not arguing that a small event will lead to a series of events. They are simply arguing that all odd numbers are prime. Therefore, the author is not committing a slippery slope fallacy.