Talk:Accident (fallacy)

I thought it was the Romans who killed Jesus, according to the traditional story? All the Jews did was ask them to. So "Jews killed Jesus" isn't so much an example of ignoring exceptions as of oversimplifying facts.

It seems like a less controversial example could be used.

I agree. I can't think of a better example, but could someone else please think of one and change this?

Why is it *called* the fallacy of "accident"? That point isn't clear.

Someone replaced the generalization example -Jews vs Jesus- with the -Nazi Germans- one. So, I guess now it's the Germans' turn to edit this article, ain't it so ?

I think we have witnessed the pervasiveness of Godwin's Law... —Preceding unsigned comment added by 202.167.15.161 (talk) 06:25, 24 July 2009 (UTC)

Could there not simply be an example which doesn't necessarily offend? For example 'Liberals are atheist'/'Some liberals are atheist', the former statement could still be used to argue (for example to a predominately fundamental/religious party), but it doesn't have the same inherently negative connotations as 'Germans are nazis' or 'Jews killed Jesus'. I'm sure some one can come up with a better idea than that, I just find the page mildly offensive. 94.14.117.73 (talk) 21:22, 3 January 2012 (UTC)

Revert: Razor blades vs. scalpels

From: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Accident_%28fallacy%29&diff=119039033&oldid=113693212 (This may be arguable since scalpels might be considered more like razor blades than knives).

Editing this out, there is no argument as scalpels have handles and razor blades do not. Razor blades encased in a handle structure are commonly called "box knives". From answers.com definition of "knife": "A cutting instrument consisting of a sharp blade attached to a handle."

I've also decided to revert the other parenthetical as it blatantly states what the example is trying to demonstrate. WTH?!?! Waste of time and space. 69.243.168.118 02:16, 13 July 2007 (UTC) User:Formerly the IP-Address 24.22.227.53

Surgeon argument is a poor example IMO

I think the given example should be changed because as it stands, it seems to be closer to an Equivocation fallacy; the term "cutting people with knives" is used for a different meaning in premise 1 than in premise 2.

P.S. the article also says absolutely nothing about where the name "fallacy of accident" came from. It seems like it would be important to explain how the fallacy got its name, considering that it has nothing whatsoever to do with accidents. NicolinoChess31415926 (talk) 03:37, 30 July 2022 (UTC)

Examples are misleading.

The accident fallacy is committed when a principle is misinterpreted (as in the surgeon example), not when two people disagree on what the exception of a rule *should* be. It stems from the semantic aspect of rules and the difference between what is stated and what is understood.

The exact point when divorce becomes acceptable, or when speech is no longer protected, can be and is hotly debated. The point at which cutting a person with a knife stops being surgery and starts being murder cannot.

I think we should replace these two examples with Aristotle's original, that "men are capable of seeing" does not mean that "blind men are capable of seeing." Or something like "birds can fly, therefore penguins can fly."

Thoughts? 2603:7081:1603:A300:2543:2916:6973:4F82 (talk) 00:17, 1 July 2024 (UTC)