Which of the following best illustrates the fallacy of composition?
A)If I have more money, I will be better off; therefore if we all had more money, we all would be better off.
B)If I buy more gas each week, my gas consumption increases; therefore, if all gas consumers buy more gas each week, total gas consumption will increase.
C)If I spend more time studying, I will learn more; therefore, if all students spend more time studying, they will learn more.
D)If women's hemlines are higher this year, the Dow Jones Industrials average will fall.

Question

Which of the following best illustrates the fallacy of composition?
A)​If I have more money, I will be better off; therefore if we all had more money, we all would be better off.
B)​If I buy more gas each week, my gas consumption increases; therefore, if all gas consumers buy more gas each week, total gas consumption will increase.
C)​If I spend more time studying, I will learn more; therefore, if all students spend more time studying, they will learn more.
D)​If women's hemlines are higher this year, the Dow Jones Industrials average will fall.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fallacy of composition occurs when one assumes that what is true for a part is true for the whole. In choice A, the individual assumes that if having more money will make them better off, then everyone having more money will make everyone better off. However, this assumes that the economy and society are not complex systems with interdependent parts and that increasing the wealth of one person will have no negative effects on others.

Which of the Following Best Illustrates the Fallacy of Composition