Which logical fallacy occurs when justifying a broad statement based on limited evidence?

The fallacy of Hasty Generalization occurs when a broad conclusion is drawn from insufficient or limited evidence. This logical misstep can happen when someone makes a sweeping claim based on a small sample size or isolated incidents that do not adequately represent the larger population or scenario. For example, if someone encounters a few rude individuals from a particular city and then concludes that everyone from that city must be rude, they are engaging in hasty generalization.

This fallacy undermines the strength of an argument because it relies on an overgeneralization that lacks proper evidence to support it. Critical thinking and reasoning require considering a representative sample or more comprehensive evidence before making such broad statements. Recognizing this fallacy is vital in both constructing and deconstructing arguments to ensure discussions are based on solid, logical foundations rather than flawed reasoning.