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New page: A '''counterexample''' is an example that is opposite to a theory or argument. For example, the well-proven theory that cigarettes cause lung cancer has the '''counterexample''' of ...
A '''counterexample''' is an example that is opposite to a theory or argument.
For example, the well-proven theory that cigarettes cause [[lung cancer]] has the '''counterexample''' of the (rare) individual who might smoke his entire life and not develop lung cancer. The counterexample does not disprove the theory.
A '''counterexample''' cannot disprove correlation or causation. An example of flawed [[liberal logic]] is the use of a counterexample to argue that a theory is false, as in "I don't go to church and I'm not a bad person, and therefore church is not needed."
A theory of universality, such as the claim that ''all'' species [[theory of evolution|evolved]], can be disproved by just one ''counterexample'', such as a species (like the [[whale]]) that lacks a plausible evolutionary path.
[[category:logic]]
For example, the well-proven theory that cigarettes cause [[lung cancer]] has the '''counterexample''' of the (rare) individual who might smoke his entire life and not develop lung cancer. The counterexample does not disprove the theory.
A '''counterexample''' cannot disprove correlation or causation. An example of flawed [[liberal logic]] is the use of a counterexample to argue that a theory is false, as in "I don't go to church and I'm not a bad person, and therefore church is not needed."
A theory of universality, such as the claim that ''all'' species [[theory of evolution|evolved]], can be disproved by just one ''counterexample'', such as a species (like the [[whale]]) that lacks a plausible evolutionary path.
[[category:logic]]