Conclusion which denies premises 35
(This could mean that some do, but is unlikely to mean that all
subversives are so employed. It could even be taken as telling us that
only subversives teach there. The quality of the average BA would
vary enormously, depending on which were true, as indeed might
the course content.)Concealed quantification can also be a prelude to tarring an
individual with the characteristics of the group to which he
belongs by hiding the fact that they apply only to some of that
group.Have you ever noticed that bishops are fat? I suppose now that Johnson
has been raised to a bishopric he'll expand a bit himself.
(Weight and see.)You should use concealed quantification to make a weak case
look stronger than it is. If you are trying to sow doubts about a
person, you can use their membership of some group to cast
general aspersions about them. Make reasonable-sounding
statements which are true of some, and allow your audience to
supply the 'all' or the 'only' which are needed to brand him as
well.
/ don't think we should hire Thomson. I see he's a keen fisherman. Idlers
take up fishing, so I think it's a very bad sign.
(The audience take the bait, make it 'only idlers', and Thomson is
already hooked.)Conclusion which denies premises
The conclusion which denies its premises is one of the 'oh-dear-l-
forgot-what-l-started-to-say' fallacies. It starts by maintaining