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To examine whether or not one can make generalizations (and be accurate) I looked up the word generalization.
Dictionary.com:
The first definition leads back to the word general so I looked that up:
So I looked up the word general:
This means generalizations can be accurate in two ways:
1)Talking about a whole or class which are established via definitions.
2) The rule tends to hold true. Usually in different times and respects. Meaning if it holds true 51 percent of the time....the generalizations is accurate.
The second is obviously what is to be expected in the vasy majority of cases involving human nature and society. This means that monorities and exceptions might exist but do not in any way refute the geralization. As it deals with what holds true usually.In most cases...not all.
Now fallacies of course can be committed the two main being one about making a generalization too quickly and its reverse.
Critical Thinking fourth edition:
Thus to say "gays are pedophiles" on the basis of two homosexuals who might have dated under age boys is a hasty generalization.
Likewise the reverse is fallacious too:
Hence saying Christians cannot generally have a bad effect on things because I have met a real nice one is fallacious reasoning. To say that one cannot generalize religious text because someone's "interpretation" might be an exception is fallacious.
Hence generalizations can be made rationally and hastily; refuted by sound arguments and fallacious ones.
In the end though generalizations will be made and are made every day. Most reasoning is based on induction and inductions never lead to absolute certainty. Science,sociology,history and even politics would not work without generalizations. How does anyone know absolutely the sun will rise tomorrow? Or that you will not be poisoned by your next bowel of cereal? Nobody with absolute certainty. But we continue to expect a sun rise and eat our cereal on the basis of past experience and the generalizations we draw from them
Nobody knows for sure that all humans are mortal...perhaps I am or you are the first immortal. Perhaps all immortals are hiding or uknown. Nobody has looked at everyone's lives nor can they predict everyone's future. Notheless, though we tend to believe that people will be mortal on the basis of past experience.
Hence generalizations are prevalent everywhere but are cetrainly not all equal. They form the basis for most of science and are used in most cases of inductive thought.
Dictionary.com:
gen·er·al·i·za·tion Pronunciation Key (jnr--l-zshn)
n.
1. The act or an instance of generalizing.
2. A principle, statement, or idea having general application.
n.
1. The act or an instance of generalizing.
2. A principle, statement, or idea having general application.
gen·er·al·ize Pronunciation Key (jnr--lz)
v. gen·er·al·ized, gen·er·al·iz·ing, gen·er·al·iz·es
v. tr.
1.
1. To reduce to a general form, class, or law.
2. To render indefinite or unspecific.
2.
1. To infer from many particulars.
2. To draw inferences or a general conclusion from.
3.
1. To make generally or universally applicable.
2. To popularize.
v. gen·er·al·ized, gen·er·al·iz·ing, gen·er·al·iz·es
v. tr.
1.
1. To reduce to a general form, class, or law.
2. To render indefinite or unspecific.
2.
1. To infer from many particulars.
2. To draw inferences or a general conclusion from.
3.
1. To make generally or universally applicable.
2. To popularize.
gen·er·al Pronunciation Key (jnr-l)
adj.
1. Concerned with, applicable to, or affecting the whole or every member of a class or category: ?subduing all her impressions as a woman, to something more general? (Virginia Woolf).
2. Affecting or characteristic of the majority of those involved; prevalent: general discontent.
3. Of or affecting the entire body: general paralysis.
4. Being usually the case; true or applicable in most instances but not all: the general correctness of her decisions.
5.
1. Not limited in scope, area, or application: as a general rule.
2. Not limited to or dealing with one class of things; diversified: general studies.
6. Involving only the main features rather than precise details: a general grasp of the subject.
7. Highest or superior in rank: the general manager.
adj.
1. Concerned with, applicable to, or affecting the whole or every member of a class or category: ?subduing all her impressions as a woman, to something more general? (Virginia Woolf).
2. Affecting or characteristic of the majority of those involved; prevalent: general discontent.
3. Of or affecting the entire body: general paralysis.
4. Being usually the case; true or applicable in most instances but not all: the general correctness of her decisions.
5.
1. Not limited in scope, area, or application: as a general rule.
2. Not limited to or dealing with one class of things; diversified: general studies.
6. Involving only the main features rather than precise details: a general grasp of the subject.
7. Highest or superior in rank: the general manager.
1)Talking about a whole or class which are established via definitions.
2) The rule tends to hold true. Usually in different times and respects. Meaning if it holds true 51 percent of the time....the generalizations is accurate.
The second is obviously what is to be expected in the vasy majority of cases involving human nature and society. This means that monorities and exceptions might exist but do not in any way refute the geralization. As it deals with what holds true usually.In most cases...not all.
Now fallacies of course can be committed the two main being one about making a generalization too quickly and its reverse.
Critical Thinking fourth edition:
To base a generalization (or conclusion of an analogical argument) on a sample that is too small is to commit the fallacy of hasty generalization.
Likewise the reverse is fallacious too:
Sometimes we ask someone to reject a general claim on the basis of an example or two that run counter to the claim. When we do this, we commit the fallacy known as refutation via hasty generalization. And it doesn't matter whether or not the refutation is based on an anectdote(personal experience); As long as it is a refutation based on a sample that's too small, it counts as this fallacy.
Hence generalizations can be made rationally and hastily; refuted by sound arguments and fallacious ones.
In the end though generalizations will be made and are made every day. Most reasoning is based on induction and inductions never lead to absolute certainty. Science,sociology,history and even politics would not work without generalizations. How does anyone know absolutely the sun will rise tomorrow? Or that you will not be poisoned by your next bowel of cereal? Nobody with absolute certainty. But we continue to expect a sun rise and eat our cereal on the basis of past experience and the generalizations we draw from them
Nobody knows for sure that all humans are mortal...perhaps I am or you are the first immortal. Perhaps all immortals are hiding or uknown. Nobody has looked at everyone's lives nor can they predict everyone's future. Notheless, though we tend to believe that people will be mortal on the basis of past experience.
Hence generalizations are prevalent everywhere but are cetrainly not all equal. They form the basis for most of science and are used in most cases of inductive thought.
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