Unit 8 · Detecting Reasoning Errors

Arrow Snake — Origin Story Error

Lesson 3 of 10

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About this lesson

Gabriel reads a popular belief about arrow snakes and immediately says "That can't be true — I've watched these snakes many times and never seen it happen." Can you spot what is wrong with that reasoning before reading on?

Chapters

0:00Introduction
0:22Question
1:15Strategy
1:49Step 1: What Gabriel is claiming
2:13Step 2: Why "I never saw it" is not proof
2:43Step 3: Pick the option
3:23Correct answer

Question

The arrow snake got its name because of its long and thin body and quick-as-lightning movements. It is a popular belief that an arrow snake can leap great distances, and even that its head can pierce the body of its prey.

Gabriel: "That can't be true. I've seen arrow snakes plenty of times, and I've never seen one jump – let alone pierce its prey!"

Which one of the following sentences shows the mistake Gabriel has made?

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