Converse accident
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2008-06-16T01:30:14Z
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Warning of contradiciot: this article describes it as both a formal and informal logical fallacy.
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The [[logical fallacy]] of '''converse accident''' (also called '''reverse accident''', '''destroying the exception''' or '''''a dicto secundum quid ad dictum simpliciter''''') is a [[deduction|deductive]] fallacy that can occur in a [[statistical syllogism]] when an exception to a [[generalization]] is wrongly called for.
''For example:''
:If we allow people with [[glaucoma]] to use [[medical marijuana]] then everyone should be allowed to use marijuana.
People who suffer from glaucoma are an exception to the general rule that does not overlap with everyone else.
The [[Induction (philosophy)|inductive]] version of this fallacy is called [[hasty generalization]]. See [[faulty generalization]].
This fallacy is similar to the [[slippery slope]], where the opposition claims that if a restricted action under debate is allowed, such as allowing people with glaucoma to use medical marijuana, then the action will by stages become acceptable in general, such as eventually everyone being allowed to use marijuana. The two arguments imply there is no difference between the exception and the rule, and in fact fallacious slippery slope arguments often use the converse accident to the contrary as the basis for the argument. However, a key difference between the two is the point and position being argued. The above argument using converse accident is an argument ''for'' full legal use of marijuana given that glaucoma patients use it. The argument based on the slippery slope argues ''against'' medicinal use of marijuana because it will lead to full use. A slippery slope argument, in addition, is not necessarily fallacious, where a converse accident is always a [[formal fallacy]].
The opposing kind of [[dicto simpliciter]] is [[accident (fallacy)|accident]].
{{Informal_Fallacy}}
==External links==
* [http://www.intrepidsoftware.com/fallacy/convacc.php Stephen's guide: Converse accident]{{Dead link|date=June 2008}}
[[Category:Syllogistic fallacies]]
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[[he:דיקטו סקונדום (חריג הפוך)]]
[[lt:Atvirkščia išimtis]]
[[tr:A dicto secundum quid ad dictum simpliciter]]
[[uk:Похапливе узагальнення]]