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Anecdotal evidence: Usually told
as a story or example of one or two events. These anecdotes
are designed to "prove" something which is the opposite
of what the larger body of data show. |
When dealing with statistical data, no matter how strong the evidence
is for one conclusion, there are always a few examples that do
not fit the rule. The fallacy of anecdotal evidence is when one
uses these "exceptions to the rule" to prove their point.
(1) "Smoking isn't harmful. Why my grandmother smoked a pack
a day and lived to the ripe old age of 92."
Analysis: First, this goes against the overall statistical data
which show that smoking is harmful to health. Second, we have
no idea how long she would have lived had she not smoked.
(2) "I'm never wearing a seat belt. Ida down the street was
in a crash, and they said she might have been killed had she been
wearing a seat belt."
Analysis: There are exceptions where wearing a seat belt can
increase the possibility of injury. However, these kinds of crashes
are very unusual. In an overwhelming number of cases seat belts
prevent serious injury and death. It is wrong to base one's conclusion
on an example which is very unusual.
Ask yourself if this is the exception to the rule, or if most
of the data support the conclusion.
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