Denying the correlative

The logical fallacy of denying the correlative is the opposite of the false dilemma hypothesis. In this case an attempt is made to introduce a false alternative.

Examples

1. Policeman: "Either you stole the money or you didn't, which is it?"
   Criminal Philosopher: "You're assuming that the money really exists."
   In the context of the question this is not a valid alternative.
2. Parent: "I know that I didn't eat the sweet, so it must have been one of you two."
   Child: "Maybe the sweet ate itself."
3. Cynic: "Everyone acts selfishly all the time."
   Priest: "What about Mother Theresa?"
   Cynic: "Well she wanted to be good, so she was doing what she wanted."
   This ignores the normal definition of selfishness and unselfishness.

See also

• Correlative based fallacies