Which reasoning fallacy involves assuming that what is true for a whole must also be true for its parts?

The reasoning fallacy that involves assuming that what is true for a whole must also be true for its parts is known as the composition fallacy. This fallacy occurs when one mistakenly generalizes a property or characteristic of a whole group to apply it to the individual members within that group.

For example, if someone argues that because a team is great at playing football, each individual player on that team must also be great, they are committing the composition fallacy. This kind of reasoning overlooks the fact that while the team may excel as a unit, individual capabilities can vary significantly among its members.

The composition fallacy highlights the importance of distinguishing between collective attributes and individual characteristics, which is crucial in logical reasoning and critical thinking. Understanding this fallacy helps to avoid drawing flawed conclusions based on erroneous assumptions about parts and wholes.