Limited Depth
Naming a category may leave a causal question unanswered. The limited-depth label applies when an explanation stops at classification without identifying what about that membership would explain the outcome.
THE IDEA
Limited Depth
A category label can describe something without explaining why it behaves as it does. If a causal explanation is needed, ask what about the category could account for the outcome.
The source comments on two examples but does not include their original arguments.
Example #1: Dog in the Garbage
Calling an animal a “dog” does not by itself explain why it goes through the garbage. What behavior or circumstance connects the category with the action?
Example #2: Kind Church-Goers
Calling people “church goers” does not by itself explain their kindness. An explanation would need to identify a connection between church-going and the behavior.
A category label can still serve as shorthand when a deeper explanation is already understood or is not needed.
When to use it
When analyzing explanations in debates or discussions to spot shallow reasoning.
Distinguishing a proposed causal explanation from a classification.
When teaching critical thinking, using the fallacy to illustrate the difference between correlation and causation.
In everyday conversation, to encourage more thoughtful and substantive explanations.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Dog in the garbage
We know your dog is a dog, but what about him being a dog makes him go through the garbage? By referring to your dog as a member of the category “dog”, this fails to explain anything.
Kind church-goers
Question begging aside, simply stating that they are a member of the group, “church goers” does not explain why they are kind. A reasonable explanation would need to include a valid causal relationship between kindness and church-going.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
Think of a time when you explained something by just putting it in a category. How could you deepen the explanation to identify an underlying cause?
Why is it insufficient to explain a person's behavior solely by referencing their group identity?
How might the 'limited depth' fallacy mask poor reasoning in scientific or philosophical arguments?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Logically Fallacious - The Ultimate Collection of Over 300 Logical Fallacies