Short Essay on Fallacies of Observation

The possibility of error in the process of observation cannot be ruled out. Erroneous observation leads to fallacious induction.

A fallacy in observation vitiates the purpose of inductive procedure. It is necessary to know the fallacies of observation so as to remain careful not to commit them.

The fallacies of observation are mainly of two types, namely negative and positive. The negative fallacy is the result of non-observation and the positive fallacy is the result of mal-observation.

Non-observation:

The fallacy of non-observation occurs when what should have been observed is over- looked. They are also of two types, non-observation of essential circumstances (partial non-observation) and non-observation of instances (complete non-observation).’They are very common in our day today life. Let us illustrate them:-

a) . Non- observation of essential instances:- The instance which is important for the purpose of investigation if overlooked, while making the observation, then it leads to the fallacy of non-observation of essential instances.

For example, suppose a person actually suffers from malarial fever. While examining if the doctor overlooks malarial symptoms and takes it as some other fever, it becomes a case of non-observation of essential instances. This fallacy can be avoided if extreme care is taken at the time of investigation.

There are also cases where the part of the object is visible but not the whole. The invisible part might include some essential evidences.

When we observe the moon, it is visible partly. It is a case of partial non-observation. One can use instruments and repeat the observation for a number of times to improve the knowledge of partial observations.

Non-observation of instances:

Non-observation of instances is a fallacy in which we overlook instances, which are relevant for investigation. It is a case where some instances are overlooked either unknowingly or because of certain prejudices.

Suppose we are in habit of offering a prayer before we go for appearing examinations. We get a good result.

Here a superstition is built up that to get a good result prayer is necessary. We only cite such examples where we offer prayer and have got good results. And we fail to observe a number of instances where good result is there without having prior prayer. Thus many superstitions are framed due to the non-observation of instances.

Just like partial non-observations, there may be also cases of complete non- observations. The germs are not visible to the naked eye.

We see a glass of water and decide that it is pure and worth drinking. It is because of the fact that the presence of the germs is not observed at all. It is a case of complete non-observation.

Mal observation:

There are cases of observation where the actual object is observed as something else. These are the cases of positively wrong observations. For example, sometimes a mirage is perceived as water or a straight rod is perceived as bent one when half immersed in water.

Similarly the parallel train lines appear to be meeting at a point is also a case of fallacious observation. Such types of positively wrong observation are known as mal observation. Mal observations are categorised into two types, namely, individual mal- observation and universal mal-observation.

a) Individual mal-observation:-

When any individual being wrongly observes a thing to be another it is individual mal observation. The observation of a rope as a snake is an example of individual mal- observation.

It is a case where an individual is confused with unconscious inference that leads to the fallacy. Unconsciously one reaches at the conclusion that what he observes is a snake, whereas it is actually a rope. If he would have been careful enough then he would have observed it as a rope.

b) Universal mal-observation:-

There are certain cases of illusions and hallucinations which are universally found with everyone. Everyone is liable to commit that mistake under similar circumstances. Whoever stands at one end of a train line the parallel lines appear to be merged at certain point.

Here careful observation will not help in overcoming such wrong perception. Because it is possible for everyone to commit this fallacy it is called universal mal-observation. In case of universal mal-observations undue assumptions are wrongly inferred.

The most popular example of universal mal-observation is the case of sunrise and sunset. We think that we observe sunrise and sunset, whereas scientifically considering there is neither sunrise nor sunset.