Which term best fits the definition of a conclusion that does not logically follow from the argument?

Which term best fits the definition of a conclusion that does not logically follow from the argument?

• A. Affable
• B. Heuristics
• C. Non sequitur
• D. Iterative

Answer: (C)

A non sequitur is a conclusion that does not logically follow from the argument. In good reasoning, each claim should be supported by what came before; when the final statement jumps to something unrelated or insufficiently supported, the logical link is broken. The term itself means “it does not follow.” For example: all birds have wings, penguins are birds, therefore penguins can fly. The premises don’t guarantee flying, since many birds with wings cannot fly, so the conclusion doesn’t follow logically. Affable means friendly, which describes a person’s character rather than a logical connection. Heuristics are quick mental shortcuts used to solve problems or make judgments, not a label for faulty conclusions. Iterative describes a repetitive process used to refine results, not a type of inferential gap.

A non sequitur is a conclusion that does not logically follow from the argument. In good reasoning, each claim should be supported by what came before; when the final statement jumps to something unrelated or insufficiently supported, the logical link is broken. The term itself means “it does not follow.” For example: all birds have wings, penguins are birds, therefore penguins can fly. The premises don’t guarantee flying, since many birds with wings cannot fly, so the conclusion doesn’t follow logically.

Affable means friendly, which describes a person’s character rather than a logical connection. Heuristics are quick mental shortcuts used to solve problems or make judgments, not a label for faulty conclusions. Iterative describes a repetitive process used to refine results, not a type of inferential gap.