Logical Fallacies 1
You misrepresented someone's argument to make it easier to attack.
What is a strawman?
Jeff's mom is concerned when she finds out that he skipped class one day. She tells him that she is concerned that since he skipped one class, he will start skipping more frequently. Then he will drop out altogether, never graduate or get into college, and end up unemployed and living at home for the rest of his life. What type of fallacy has Jeff's mom committed?
What is the slippery slope?
We should move to the midwest because the Wall Street Journal says the cost of living is cheaper there.
What is appeal to authority?
All of us are on a school sports team – you should join one too! You’re the only one in our group who doesn’t do any extracurriculars!
What is bandwagon?
“You can either go with me to the party tonight or sit at home alone and be bored all night.”
What is false dichotomy?
Debbie: I think capital punishment is a necessary component of our justice system and should remain legal. Dylan: So you are saying that murder should be legal and it is okay for us to go around killing people just because we think they deserve it? That isn't right Of what fallacy is Dylan guilty?
What is straw man?
Don't believe what Kim says about global warming. Kim dropped out of college!
What is ad hominem?
What is no true scotsman?
“Herbal medicine is natural, so it’s good for you.”
What is the appeal to nature?
You presented two alternatives states as the only possibilities, when in fact more possibilities exist.
What is false dichotomy?
The article was not published in the journal because it was deemed not worthy of publication
What is begging the question?
A business executive is asked: “what do you think about your company's new environmental policy?”, and responds by saying “the company is making great progress in product development that we hope will help our customers”.
What is red herring?
You presented a circular argument in which the conclusion was included in the premise.
What is begging the question?
Louise is running for class president. In her campaign speech she says, "My opponent does not deserve to win. She is a smoker and she cheated on her boyfriend last year." What fallacy has Louise committed?
What is a ad hominem?
Jeff is preparing to create a commercial for a new energy drink. He visits a local high school and surveys students in an English class about their beverage preferences. The majority of the class says they prefer grape flavored drinks, so Jeff tells his superiors that grape is the flavor favored most by high school students. What error in reasoning has Jeff made?
What is the hasty generalization?
You said that because an important person thinks something, it must therefore be true.
What is the appeal to authority?
Conservative: No conservative would support censorship. We understand the importance of free speech.
Liberal: What about this conservative politician who called for a book to be banned last month?
Conservative: He’s not upholding conservative values, so he’s not a true conservative.
What is the no true scotsman?
You attempted to manipulate an emotional response in place of a valid or compelling argument.
What is emotional appeal?
Eat your dinner. You’re lucky to even HAVE food – people are starving in Africa.
What is appeal to emotion?
You attacked your opponent's character or personal traits in an attempt to undermine their argument.
What is ad hominem?
Person 1: Because of the thefts in our building, I think we should add more security cameras.
Person 2: So you’re saying you don’t trust your neighbors?
What is straw man?