Which formal fallacy is committed in the following argument: "No politicians…
2023
Which formal fallacy is committed in the following argument: "No politicians are idiots. Some voters are not idiots. Therefore, some voters are not politicians."?
- A.
Exclusive Premises
- B.
Existential fallacy
- C.
Affirming the consequent
- D.
Denying the antecedent
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Correct answer: A
The argument commits the Fallacy of Exclusive Premises. In categorical syllogisms, a valid conclusion cannot be drawn from two negative premises because the middle term fails to establish a connection between the subject and predicate terms.