Definition:
A fallacy in which a conclusion is not logically justified by sufficient or unbiased evidence.
Examples and Observations:
- "It is not uncommon for an arguer to draw a conclusion or generalization based on only a few instances of a phenomenon. In fact, a generalization is often drawn from a single piece of supporting data, an act that might be described as committing the fallacy of the lonely fact. . . .
"Some areas of inquiry have quite sophisticated guidelines for determining the sufficiency of a sample, such as in voter preference samples or television viewing samples. In many areas, however, there are no such guidelines to assist us in determining what would be sufficient grounds for the truth of a particular conclusion."
(T. Edward Damer, Attacking Faulty Reasoning, 4th ed. Wadsworth, 2001) - "A United States Judge indulged in a very hasty generalization when in the recent trial of an alimony case he interjected the remark that 'any man who gives all his salary to his wife is a fool.' Many men not fools, but wise and prudent, turn over their earnings to their wives as the most competent stewards of the household."
("The Wife As the Family Treasurer," The Toronto Truth. July 29, 1895) - "Next we take up a fallacy called Hasty Generalization. Listen carefully: You can't speak French. I can't speak French. Petey Burch can't speak French. I must therefore conclude that nobody at the University of Minnesota can speak French."
"Really," said Polly, amazed. "Nobody?"
I hid my exasperation. "Polly, it's a fallacy. The generalization is reached too hastily. There are too few instances to support such a conclusion."
(Max Shulman, "Love Is a Fallacy") - Robin: I guess you can never trust a woman.
Batman: You've made a hasty generalization, Robin. It's a bad habit to get into.
(Batman television series, 1966)
Also Known As: insufficient sample, faulty generalization, secundum quid
