(a.k.a. A Dicto Simpliciter Ad Dictum Secundum Quid)
Applying a rule generally while ignoring exceptions to the rule
Examples:
Scientists have the rocks and fossils tested using radiometric dating methods, and all the dates concur.
This persuader ignores the exceptions and the way scientists cherry-pick this data.
The Bible says, “Thou shalt not kill.” Therefore, I could never serve in the military, and I believe the death sentence is wrong.
In this example, the persuader ignores the correct translation of the Bible, “Thou shalt not murder.” The death penalty for certain crimes and serving in the military are not murder.
The Bible says, “Thou shalt not bear false witness.” Therefore, I must tell my boss that his wife is ugly.
The logical fallacy here is that the Bible doesn’t say we must say everything that we’re thinking, and, if we see reality as God sees it, every person is His creation whom He loves. Lying is an abomination, but blurting out our flawed assessments of other people amounts to telling lies, even if we rationalize such faulty judgments as “just being honest.”
What is usually true isn’t always true. For example, if most people react a certain way in a situation, it doesn’t mean that all people will react this way. A general rule only gives us a first place to look or a first guess to make, but it doesn’t mean this guess will be correct. In addition, we can get a false impression that something is generally true when it isn’t generally true.
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