Hasty Generalisation

What is Hasty Generalisation?

Hasty generalisation involves drawing a broad conclusion from a small or unrepresentative sample. It usually happens in an inductive argument. An inductive argument is a type of reasoning where we draw a general conclusion based on specific observations or evidence. It makes generalised conclusion from specific examples.

Example

"If you are Chinese, then you must be against the abolishment of vernacular schools."

This is hasty generalisation because the person draws a sweeping conclusion about a whole group based on limited evidence, stereotypes, or assumptions.

Note that this is also an instance of Ad Hominem argument because the person is making assumption or discrediting a viewpoint based on the speaker’s identity (in this case, their ethnicity) rather than addressing the substance of the argument itself.