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Existential Fallacy Definition: A standard form categorical syllogism with two universal premises has a particular conclusion. The idea is that some universal properties need not be instantiated. Itmay be true that 'all trespassers will be shot' even ifthere are no trespassers. It may be true that 'all brakelesstrains are dangerous' even though there are no brakelesstrains. That is the point of this fallacy. Examples: All mice are animals, and all animals are dangerous, so some mice are dangerous. No honest people steal, and all honest people pay taxes, so some honest people pay taxes. Proof: Assume that the premises are true, but that there are no instances of the category described. For example, in (i) above, assume there are no mice, and in (ii) above, assume there are no honest people. This shows that the conclusion is false. References: Copi and Cohen: 210 For Educators Stephen Downes Guide to the Logical Fallacies Copyright © Stephen Downes, 1995-2001 stephen.downes@ualberta.ca