fallacy of division

American  

noun

Logic.

1. the fallacy of inferring that a property of the whole is also a property of parts or members of the whole (fallacy of composition ).

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Etymology

Origin of fallacy of division

First recorded in 1670–75

Example Sentences

The fallacy of “division” is the converse of this, where what is true of a term used collectively is inferred to be true of its several parts.

From Project Gutenberg

The Fallacy of Division and Composition consists in suggesting, or assuming, that what is true of things severally denoted by a term is true of them taken together.

From Project Gutenberg

The frequency of such incidents,—each apart capable of being palliated by the same fallacy of division that has attempted in vain to justify the domestic career of Henry VIII.,—points to the conclusion of Miss Gully that Carlyle, though often nervous on the subject, acted to his wife as if he were "totally inconsiderate of her health," so much so that she received medical advice not to be much at home when he was in the stress of writing.

From Project Gutenberg

The fallacy of division has been accommodated by modern writers to the meaning which they have assigned to the fallacy of composition.

From Project Gutenberg

So that by the 'fallacy of division' is now meant arguing from the collective to the distributive use of a term.

From Project Gutenberg