The misdistributed major term occurs when the major term is distributed in the conclusion but not in the major premise. This is the illicit process of the major term.
Example
“All dogs are animals.
No cat is a dog.
Therefore, no cat is an animal.”
(The term “animal” is distributed without support.)
Applied example (political)
“All ministers are officials. No citizen is a minister. Therefore no citizen is an official.” (The major term is improperly distributed.)
Applied example (mystical)
“All rituals are practices. No science is a ritual. Therefore no science is a practice.” (The conclusion exceeds the premises.)
Why it is fallacious
- The scope of the major term is expanded without permission.
- The conclusion claims more than the premises allow.
- It violates the distribution rule.
How to spot it
- The predicate becomes universal in the conclusion.
- In the major premise that term was not universal.
- The conclusion sounds too strong.
How to respond
- Point out the improper distribution.
- Show the major term was not covered.
- Restate the conclusion with a smaller scope.