Formal Fallacy: Denying the Antecedent

This fallacy has to do with form and not the meaning of language. This is also called a Modus Tollens argument or denying the antecedent (Latin: the way that denies by denying)

 It takes the form of if p, then q

Not p
Therefore, not q

 Examples:

If you were to get hit by a car when you were six, then you would die young.

But you were not hit by a car when you were six.
Thus you will not die young.

(You could have been hit by a train or died in a plane crash at age 7, in which you still would die young).

If I am in Seattle, then I am in Washington .

I am not in Seattle.
Therefore, I am not in Washington

(nope, I am in Tacoma, Washington)

 Proof: Even though the premises may be true, the conclusion may be false. In particular, show that the consequense, in this case q may still occure even though p does not occur.


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