Which of the following best illustrates the fallacy of composition?
A)I hate driving to work when the traffic is so heavy, so I decide to leave 30 minutes earlier than in the past.If everyone were to leave 30 minutes earlier for work, we'd all get to work faster.
B)A great many people have been immunized against polio because it can be such a devastating disease.As a result, I probably do not personally need to be immunized against polio.
C)Whenever I attend a baseball game at the local stadium, the home team wins.Therefore, if I attend all of the team's local games, they will achieve a perfect winning record at home.
D)The parking at Ohio State University is in short supply on the main campus.It would be better for more people to ride the bus to school.

Question

Which of the following best illustrates the fallacy of composition?
A)​I hate driving to work when the traffic is so heavy, so I decide to leave 30 minutes earlier than in the past.If everyone were to leave 30 minutes earlier for work, we'd all get to work faster.
B)​A great many people have been immunized against polio because it can be such a devastating disease.As a result, I probably do not personally need to be immunized against polio.
C)​Whenever I attend a baseball game at the local stadium, the home team wins.Therefore, if I attend all of the team's local games, they will achieve a perfect winning record at home.
D)​The parking at Ohio State University is in short supply on the main campus.It would be better for more people to ride the bus to school.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fallacy of composition is assuming that what is true for a part will also be true for the whole. In choice A, the assumption that if one person leaves early to avoid traffic, it benefits them, and thus if everyone did the same, it would benefit everyone, illustrates this fallacy. This overlooks the fact that if everyone leaves early, the same traffic congestion issues would likely occur, just at an earlier time.

Which of the Following Best Illustrates the Fallacy of Composition