Syllogisms
Fallacies A
Fallacies B
Inductive or Deductive
100

All dogs are animals. Cats are animals. Therefore, all cats are dogs. 

What is an invalid syllogism?

100
Everyone downloads music and movies, so why should I be the only one paying for music?
What is an ad populum fallacy? (justification by popularity)
100
If the president of the company says it's good for business, then it's good for me.
What is an ad verecundium fallacy? (appeal to authority)
100
All of these chicken eggs are white. All chicken eggs are white.
What is inductive logic? (moving from a specific observation to a generalized conclusion.)
200
Everyone in bed is sleeping. Jerry is in bed. Jerry is sleeping.
What is a valid syllogism?
200
Every time I go to the amusement park with you it rains! I want to ride the rides, so you're not coming next time.
What is a post hoc, ergo propter hoc fallacy? (your presence at the park causes the rain)
200

A father tells his daughter she shouldn't start smoking because it's unhealthy. She replies, "You used to smoke, so your advice is worthless."

What is an ad hominem fallacy? (personal attack)

200
Workers would lose job security if more jobs go overseas. More jobs would go overseas if globalization continues. Workers would lose job security if globalization continues.
What is deductive logic? (Moving from a general observation to a specific application.)
300
If someone won the game, they must have studied hard. Susan studied all day. Susan won the game.
What is an invalid syllogism? (IF...THEN statements are directional and cannot be applied in reverse.)
300

Partner A: "You never help with the chores."

Partner B: "You're not so great at doing the chores either, because you never put your car all the way in the driveway!". 

What is a red herring fallacy? (new evidence used as a distraction from the topic)

300

If we allow students to have deadline extensions for one interview, soon we'll have to allow them for everything, and deadlines will become meaningless.

What is a slippery slope fallacy?

300
This bicycle has ten speeds. All bicycles have ten speeds.
What is inductive logic?
400

Either something is made with sugar, or it is not a dessert. Omelettes are not made with sugar. Omelettes are not dessert.

What is a valid syllogism? (If your object refutes the 'either' statement [from the major premise] in the minor premise, then you have to accept the 'or' statement from the major premise.)

400
After Will said that we should put more money into health and education, Warren responded by saying that he was surprised that Will hates our country so much that he wants to leave it defenceless by cutting military spending.
What is a straw man fallacy? (misrepresenting and distorting argument)
400
  • Person A: "I think we should give students better study guides to help them learn."
  • Person B: "So you think we should just give everyone easy A's and not make them work for it."

What is a straw man fallacy? (ignoring the position of the other and substituting a distorted position)

400
All baby animals are cute. That is a tiny baby octopus. That baby octopus is cute.
What is deductive logic?
500
All computers have microchips. Smartphones have microchips. Smartphones are computers.
What is an invalid syllogism? (Saying "All computers have microchips." does not mean "ONLY computers have microchips.")
500

Someone takes a vitamin supplement and then recovers from a cold the next day. They conclude the vitamin caused the recovery, without considering other factors like their immune system naturally getting better.

What is a post hoc, ergo propter hoc fallacy?

500

Giving up nuclear weapons weakened the United States' military. Giving up nuclear weapons also weakened China. For this reason, it is wrong to try to outlaw firearms in the United States today.

What is a non-sequitur fallacy?

500
Caffeine is found naturally in coffee beans, tea leaves, and cocoa beans. Dark chocolate has more cocoa than milk chocolate and therefore has more caffeine.
What is deductive logic? (Enthymeme: a deductive syllogism with one or more of its parts missing. This example moves from a general observation to a conclusion while skipping the minor premise.)
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