Question

Charles Darwin’s work on the theory of natural selection has been misrepresented in many instances by those who do not support the theory. What type of logical fallacy does this represent?

a. Confirmation bias

b. Filter bubble

c. Anecdotal evidence

d. False dichotomy

e. Quote mining

Answer 1

e. Quote mining

The logical fallacy applicable here is Quote Mining.

Confirmation bias: It is the tendency to look for, translate, favor and remember information which confirms or support one"s prior personal thoughts and theories. It is the tendency to interpret new evidence as confirmation of one's existing theories. Here it doesn't apply because Darwin's theories are not being misrepresented.

Filter bubble: It is situation in which one encounters only information and opinions that makes strong their own theories. Here it doesn't apply because it is not misrepresenting Darwin's theories.

Anecdotal evidence: It is the evidence which relies heavily on a personal testimony that is anecdote. Here it doesn't apply because thre is no misrepresentation of Darwin's theories.

False dichotomy: It is the creation of an artificial sense that there are only two possible choices in a situation and by doing this, the person limits the others options and imagination to think beyond the two choices. Here it doesn't apply because Darwin's theories are not being misrepresented.

Quote mining: This is a fallacy in which a a certain passage is removed from the surrounding passages in such a way as to misrepresent its intended meaning. Here it applies because Darwin's passages from the surroundingmatter is quoted and misrepresented by others who doesn't support Darwin's theories.