20. Which of the following statements would be considered a hasty generalization?
The sun is at its highest point between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
The elderly are often resistant to advances in technology.
When it snows, bridges tend to freeze before the roads do.
Children should avoid spending excessive time watching TV.
would the answer be B?
A hasty generalization is a type of logical fallacy that occurs when a conclusion is drawn based on insufficient evidence or a limited sample size. To identify a hasty generalization, we need to look for statements that make a broad generalization without adequate evidence.
Let's analyze the given statements to identify the one that can be considered a hasty generalization:
1. "The sun is at its highest point between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m."
This statement is a factual statement about the position of the sun during specific hours of the day. It doesn't involve generalization, so it cannot be considered a hasty generalization.
2. "The elderly are often resistant to advances in technology."
This statement involves a generalization about the behavior of the elderly towards technology. While there may be cases where some elderly individuals are resistant to technology, it is not fair to make this statement about all elderly people without sufficient evidence to support it. Therefore, this statement can be considered a hasty generalization.
3. "When it snows, bridges tend to freeze before the roads do."
This statement makes an observation about the freezing of bridges and roads in snowy conditions. It is a specific claim based on a common phenomenon, rather than a generalization, so it is not an example of a hasty generalization.
4. "Children should avoid spending excessive time watching TV."
This statement provides advice and doesn't involve a generalization based on limited evidence. It is not an example of a hasty generalization.
Based on the analysis, the statement "The elderly are often resistant to advances in technology" would be considered a hasty generalization.
It is not A.
Look up "hasty generalization" and post the definition you find here.
Ahh -- you've added a fourth identity.
What is your answer?