Question

Which of the following is not a formal fallacy? \[ \text{A. Existential Fallacy} \] \[ \text{B. Fallacy of converse accident} \] \[ \text{C. Fallacy of four terms} \] \[ \text{D. Fallacy of equivocation} \] \[ \text{E. Fallacy of complex question} \]

• A. B, C, D and E only
• B. A, B, D and E only
• C. B, D and E only
• D. A, C and D only

Hint:

Equivocation and complex question are informal fallacies because they depend on language and content, not purely on logical form.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept:
Formal fallacies arise due to the invalid logical form of an argument. Informal fallacies arise due to language, ambiguity, relevance or content.

Step 1: Check formal fallacies.
Existential fallacy and fallacy of four terms are treated as formal fallacies in traditional logic. So: \[ A,\ C = \text{Formal fallacies} \]

Step 2: Check fallacy of converse accident.
Converse accident is an informal fallacy related to hasty or wrong generalization. So: \[ B = \text{Not formal} \]

Step 3: Check equivocation and complex question.
Equivocation is based on ambiguity of language. Complex question is based on a misleading question form. So: \[ D,\ E = \text{Not formal} \] Therefore, the fallacies that are not formal are: \[ B,\ D,\ E \] Hence: \[ \boxed{\text{(C) B, D and E only}} \]