INTERNET ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PHILOSOPHY
http://www.iep.utm.edu/f/fallacy.htm
LOGICAL ERRORS.
"Composition
The composition fallacy occurs when someone mistakenly assumes that a
characteristic of some or all the individuals in a group is also a
characteristic of the group itself, the group "composed" of those members.
It is the converse of the division fallacy.
Example:
Each human cell is very lightweight, so a human being composed of cells is
also very lightweight."
"Division
Merely because a group as a whole has a characteristic, it often doesn't
follow that individuals in the group have that characteristic. If you
suppose that it does follow, when it doesn't, you commit the fallacy of
division. It is the converse of the composition fallacy.
Example:
Joshua's soccer team is the best in the division because it had an
undefeated season and shared the division title, so Joshua, who
is their goalie, must be the best goalie in the division."
ON CLASSES OF GODS.
In a class of gods has the attributes of omnipotence, omnibenevolence,
and omniscience and it can be shown that these attributes create
impossible contradictions and such gods cannot possibly exist because
of these contradictions, a specific god that has these attributes
belongs to this class of gods. And cannot exist.
This is not the fallacy of composition. This is simple
truth.
The group is defined by its characteristics for a reason.
All members of that class are members specifically because
they share these specific characteristics. They are impossible
because these characteristics rule that out.
This is not the fallacy of compostition, that is wrong and
ignorant.
Nor is it a case of fallacy of divisions, because these
individual gods are assigned to classes of god because they
specifically as individuals, have the characteristics of that
class of gods.
Again, to call classifications of gods with specific attributes
matching a class a "Fallacy of division" is simply ignorance.
If a group cannot exist because its attributes show that is
impossible, any god with those attributes cannot exist.
specifically because it does have these attributes.
There are some people who can competently use logic and some
who cannot. Those who cannot can safely be disregarded as
being intellectually inept.
Those who keep making the same errors after having them
pointed out to again and again as they made these errors,
are not only inept, but lacking in ability to learn and
are intellectually incompetent.
Logic is good. Errors are not. Repeat errors despite
correction are shameful.
--
During the reign of Tiberius (A.D. 14-37), the news of
Pan's death came to one Thamus, a sailor on his way to
Italy by way of the island of Paxi. A divine voice hailed
him across the salt water, "Thamus, are you there?
When you reach Palodes, take care to proclaim that
the great god Pan is dead."
Cheerful Charlie
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