New math LOL!
BUT, does 11 + 11= 1111????
I could make it work!
It just goes to show that a faulty premise does not make the conclusion incorrect.
A
false premise is an incorrect
proposition that forms the basis of an argument or
syllogism. Since the
premise (proposition, or assumption) is not correct, the conclusion drawn may be in error. However, the
logical validity of an argument is a function of its internal consistency, not the
truth value of its premises.
For example, consider this syllogism, which involves a false premise:
- If the streets are wet, it has rained recently. (premise)
- The streets are wet. (premise)
- Therefore it has rained recently. (conclusion)
This argument is logically valid, but quite demonstrably wrong, because its first premise is false - one could hose down the streets, the local river could have flooded etc. A simple
logical analysis will not reveal the error in this argument, since that analysis must accept the truth of the argument's premises. For this reason, an argument based on false premises can be much more difficult to
refute, or even discuss, than one featuring a normal logical error, as the truth of its premises must be established to the satisfaction of all parties.
Another feature of an argument based on false premises that can bedevil critics, is that its conclusion can in fact be true. Consider the above example again. It may well be that it has recently rained and that the streets are wet. This does nothing to prove the first premise, but can make its claims more difficult to refute. This underlies the basic
epistemological problem of establishing
causal relationships
False premise - Wikipedia
