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top   »  thinking   »  fallacies   »  proof by example

What is Proof By Example?

 , April 21, 2016 updated on January 15, 2023
Proof by example is an attempt to prove something by using an example. This often results in a fallacy or logical error because a single example is typically statistically insignificant. For example, if you suggest that New York is a dangerous city because you witnessed a crime there, this is statistically insignificant and a fallacy of an argument. However if you argue that Lucy is dangerous because you saw her commit a crime, that argument may be somewhat closer to valid.
Overview: Proof By Example
TypeFallacy
Definition (1)Using an example to prove something.
Definition (2)A fallacy based on an attempt to use a statistically insignificant example to prove something.
Related ConceptsFalse Analogy
Base Rate Fallacy
Fallacies

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