Contraries and Contradictions// Either/Or Fallacy

The first thing that comes to mind when I hear the word “contrary” is someone presenting a formal debate and speaking the words “on the contrary.” Contraries are used when comparing two things of the same kind. In this situation, one must be true and one must be false, both can be false, but both cannot be true. 

In this photo, it shows that a square is classified as a rectangle based on the listed qualification, but a rectangle is not classified as a rectangle. Squares and rectangles are of the same kind (quadrilateral shapes).  If I state, based on the above information, that “All squares are rectangles” the contrary statement would be that “No squares are rectangles” because it is discrediting the first statement. Now, both cannot be true, but both can be false. So if I prove that one is true I don’t have to prove that the other is false, it is assumed that way. The contradiction would be that “Some squares are rectangles.” This statement is a contradiction because it proves the original statement is wrong within itself without being the total opposite. 

Either/or fallacy is easy to fall into when creating contraries and contradictions. In my picture below, the quote reads “Life is a roller coaster. You can either scream every time you hit a bump, or you can throw your hands up in the air and enjoy it.” This lovely quote is a nice thing to think about, but there are many more options on a roller coaster. If you are easily nauseated, you could throw up (which I’m not sure how that would translate to this life metaphor), or you can squeeze your eyes shut and hang on tight. Or, if you’re like me, you can laugh hysterically… in life and on the roller coaster. Using either/or in this situation leaves no room for alternatives and is therefore considered a fallacy.