Facts about Fallacies
Can you give an example of a fallacy not on Mr. Ferguson's presentation list?
(aka, NOT: Appeal to Authority, Inconsistency, Straw Man, False Fillema/Either or, Begging the Question, Evading the Issue, Tokenism, Ad Hominem, Two Wrongs Make a Right, Non Sequitur, Appeal to Ignorance, or Slippery Slope)
Verify Student's Answer
(EX: Post Hoc, Correlation/Causation, Hasty Generalization, Weak Analogy, ETC)
"Ennis says he is afraid of airplanes. However, cars are statistically more likely to crash than airplanes. Therefore, Ennis is stupid."
Is it Fallacious? If so, does it use Non Sequitur or Appeal to Ignorance?
Fallacious - Non Sequitur
Ennis's fear is never stated to be explicitly due to the fear of crash.
A fallacious argument is necessarily false.
False! An argument being fallacious simply means that the conclusion is not supported by the evidence.
"Water is blue. The planet's surface is mostly water. Therefore, the sky is blue."
The argument is Fallacious (a non sequitur specifically), but the sky is blue nonetheless.
In a subtractive color model, such as is used in printers, what are the three primary colors?
(bonus (+1 point): what are the three primary colors of an additive color model?)
Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow
(bonus: Red, Green, and Blue)
Yes! It's why we have to be on the lookout for them.
"We haven't seen Ennis in years. He's obviously dead - if he wasn't, we would've heard from him."
Is it Fallacious? If so, does it use Non Sequitur or Appeal to Ignorance?
Yes - Appeal to Ignorance
Ennis is asserted to be dead because there is no proof that Ennis is alive.
Fallacies can sometimes be more convincing than non-fallacies.
True! Just look at [topical politician]
What is the rate of acceleration of a steel ball falling at terminal velocity?
0 - Terminal Velocity means that the ball can go no faster, as the upwards acceleration of friction cancels out the downwards acceleration of gravity.
Why are fallacious arguments bad?
They are bad because they fail to support their point, either making them ineffective or meaning they convince people through dishonest means
"If Ennis likes the winter, that means Ennis likes to Ski."
Is it Fallacious? If so, does it use Non Sequitur or Appeal to Ignorance?
Yes - Non Sequitur
The evidence does not support the conclusion. Ennis liking the winter has no bearing on his enjoyment of Skiing.
Non Sequiturs are easy to spot!
False!
Take the example "Exercising regularly improves physical health. Alice exercises regularly. Therefore, Alice is more physically healthy than Bob." [from helpfulprofessor.com [sorry Bob]]
While the statement seems reasonable, it is fallacious because no statement is made about Bob that would indicate Bob's physical health. Bob could also exercise regularly. Bob could be an Olympic champion for all we know.
What family of birds does the Pootoo Bird belong to?
Nightjars!
Often they are mistaken as owls, much to Sophie's chagrin.