Which of the following arguments commits the fallacy of composition?

A) India is a country and is in Asia, so all countries are in Asia.
B) Treatment for mental disorders is less expensive per person than treatment for cancer, so society's total spending on mental disorders is less than total spending on cancer.
C) The proposed new bridge would cost very little, would be easy to maintain, and would significantly increase access to downtown businesses, so it should be built.
D) Bob Marley was born in Jamaica, so reggae music was born in Jamaica.
E) A day of painting is fun, so cleaning brushes must be fun.

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Michael Mcdermott · Accepted Answer

Final Answer : B, Explanation :  The fallacy of composition occurs when one infers that something is true of the whole from the fact that it is true of the parts. In this case, the argument is that because treatment for mental disorders is less expensive per person than treatment for cancer, society's total spending on mental disorders is less than total spending on cancer. However, this does not necessarily follow, as the total number of people with mental disorders may be much greater than the total number of people with cancer.

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