Fallacy of Composition
Overview
The Fallacy of Composition occurs when someone assumes that what is true for individual parts must also be true for the whole. For example, just because one person’s strength contributes to a team doesn’t mean the entire team will automatically perform well together. This fallacy often leads to oversimplifications and misunderstandings in decision-making.
Key Themes
- Misapplying Individual Logic to Groups: Assuming that what works for one person or small group will work for everyone (e.g., "If I save money, the whole economy will thrive").
- Ignoring Interdependence: Failing to account for how parts interact and influence each other (e.g., individual actions can have unintended consequences).
- Impact on Decision-Making: This fallacy affects personal choices, workplace dynamics, and policy decisions.
Significance
Having awareness of the Fallacy of Composition allows us to avoid oversimplifications in everyday life. It encourages us to consider how individual behaviors or traits might not scale up to larger systems.