In: Operations Management
Denying the Antecedent: Review the topic on workplace scenarios answer questions and there is a example to help you.
Topic Selection Examples
Chosen Fallacy: Denying the Antecedent
Pattern of fallacy
If P then Q
It is not the case P
Therefore, it is not the case Q
Workplace Scenario
If Paul gets a raise, then Quinn will get a raise too.
Paul did not get a raise.
Quinn did not get a raise either.
While this may seem like a good argument it is an example of the fallacy of denying the antecedent. The statement “If Paul gets a raise, then Quinn will too” tells us one way that Quinn might get a raise. She will get one if Paul does. But it does not mean that is the only way Quinn will get a raise. All we have learned is that Quinn will get a raise if Paul does. But we have not learned anything about what will happen if Paul does not get a raise.
A.) Denying the Antecedent -- the formal fallacy that occurs when we have an if/then statement and the when the “if” part of the statement is not true (antecedent) the we assume that the “then” part (consequent) is not true.
Logical Form:
If P, then Q.
Not P.
Therefore, not Q.
Example: If I go swimming in my clothes, my clothes will be wet. I didn’t go swimming in my clothes. Therefore, my clothes are not wet.
In this example, we can see that while it is true that if I go swimming in my clothes they will get wet, the fact that I don’t go swimming won’t necessarily keep my clothes dry. For example, if it is raining outside and I walk to my car without an umbrella, my clothes might also get wet.
Workplace Scenarios:
Answer:
If the nurse is on time for her shift, the medications will be administered on time. The nurse was late for her shift. Therefore, the medications were not administered on time.
In the above example, it might be true that If the nurse is on time for her shift, the medications will be administered on time but the fact that if the nurse was late for her shift does not necessarily infer that the medications were not administered on time because of the only reason that the nurse was not on time. The reason could be anything ranging from technological failure or doctors being not present in the hospital, etc.
If I increase my withholdings, I will receive a refund on my taxes. I didn’t increase my withholdings. Therefore, I didn’t get a refund.
In the above example, it might be true that if I increase my withholdings, I will receive a refund on my taxes but the fact that if I didn’t increase my withholdings and therefore I didn’t get a refund may not be always true. Reason for not getting a refund can be anything such as the ineligibility of the person on various parameters that has resulted into non refund.
If we raise our bid on the contract, we will be successful in acquiring the job. We didn’t raise our bid. We lost the job.
In the above example, it might be true that if we raise our bid on the contract, we will be successful in acquiring the job but the fact that if we didn’t raise our bid and therefore we lost the job may not be always true. Loss of job could be due to several other reason such as the bidders may not be qualified and eligible for the job.
If our client receives a sentence of community service, then he will volunteer at the youth center. He didn’t receive a sentence of community service. Therefore, he will not volunteer at the youth center.
In the above example, it might be true that if our client receives a sentence of community service, then he will volunteer at the youth center but the fact that if he didn’t receive a sentence of community service and hence he will not volunteer at the youth center may not be always true. There could be other reason for not volunteering as the person could have got busy in some other assignments.
Other example:
If I would complete this task, I will get performance appraisal. I have not completed this task, therefore, I am not getting appraisal.
In the above example, it might be true that if I would complete this task, I will get performance appraisal but the fact that if I have not completed this task and therefore, I am not getting appraisal may not be always true. There could be other reason such as the overall rating of the employee may not be sufficient for the performance appraisal.