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100
Define Straw Man Fallacy.
The speaker oversimplifies the opponent's argument so that it is easier to nkock down.
100
Define Bandwagon Fallacy?
The idea that everybody is doing so you should, too.
100
Define False Dilemma Fallacy
Presenting two choices (where one is usually intentionally a bad option) when really there are many.
100
Define Ad Hominem Fallacy
When you attack the person instead of the argument
100
Define Appeal to Tradition
Saying something is right just because it is what has always been done. Or that because something worked in the past, it will work again.
200
Are you going to admit that you are wrong? Wishful thinking Loaded question Appeal to Force Appeal to flattery
What is Loaded Question A question is asked (a) that rests on a questionable assumption, and (b) to which all answers appear to endorse that assumption
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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? Bandwagon Slippery slope Poisoning the well Hasty generalization
What is Slippery Slope Slippery slope assumes that one minor event is going to lead to another event and then another, which will eventually lead to some sort of catastrophe. People who use this fallacy are generally imagining the worst case scenario, even though that scenario will not necessarily happen.
200
Consider the following exchange: 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? Appeal to ignorance Straw man Equivocation Red herring
What is Straw Man Straw man is a fallacy whereby a person builds up an exaggerated "straw man" version of the original argument and then attacks that version. Dylan has an easier time arguing against the idea that Debbie endorses murder than he would attacking her original argument.
200
Dana is trying to raise money for her university's library. In her address to the board of trustees, she says, "We must raise tuition to cover the cost of new books. Otherwise the library will be forced to close." Of what fallacy is this an example? Slippery slope Either-or Special pleading Appeal to authority
What is Either/Or Fallacy The either-or fallacy, also known as the false dilemma, forces people to choose between two alternatives when there may be other options available. Clearly there are more ways for a university to earn money than by raising tuition, but Dana wants a tuition increase, so she makes it sound like that is the only option.
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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? Post hoc ergo propter hoc Reification Wrong direction Hasty generalization
What is Hasty Generalization A hasty generalization is when someone assumes that is what is true for a few people is true for all people. Just because one class likes grape drinks, it does not mean that all high school students will.
300
Ricky is watching television when he sees an commercial for foot cream. The commercial announcer says, "This is the best foot cream on the market because no other foot cream makers have been able to prove otherwise!" What fallacy has the announcer committed?
What is Appeal to Ignorance Appeal to ignorance assumes that a conclusion is true simply because it cannot be disproved. Though there may be no research to show that there are better foot creams, it by no means proves that that particular brand is any good.
300
aria has been working at her current job for more than 30 years at the same wage. She desperately wants a raise so she approaches her boss to ask for one. She says, "You are one of the kindest people I know. You are smart and good-looking and I really love your shoes." What type of fallacy is this?
What is Appeal to Flattery This is an emotional appeal known as appeal to flattery. Maria is merely kissing up to her boss, rather than explaining the reasons why she deserves a raise.
300
Superman is a hero because he represents the American way.
What is Patriotic Appeal Though there are many good arguments to support that Superman is a good hero, this is not one of them. Something cannot be good just because it is American. Also, the "American way" is vague. What does that mean? Why is it heroic?
300
Marines: the few, the proud.
What is Snob Appeal This ad suggests that being a Marine is valuable because it is exclusive and sets one apart.
300
“Energy drinks can be very dangerous. However, how else are students supposed to have enough energy to study and get good grades?”
What is Red Herring This person distracts from the original issue (the danger of energy drinks) by mentioning education.
400
Anthony and Marie have a heated argument. During their fight, Anthony tells Marie that he hates her and wished that she would get hit by a bus. Later that evening, Anthony receives a call from a friend who tells him that Maria is in the hospital because she was struck by a bus. Anthony immediately blames himself and reasons that if he hadn't made that comment during their fight, Marie would not have been hit. What logical fallacy has Anthony committed?
What is Post Hoc Post hoc ergo propter hoc is Latin for, "After this, therefore because of this." This fallacy assumes that just because one event occurred before another, that the first caused the second. In Anthony's case, he assumes that because Marie was hit by a bus after he told her he wished she would be, that caused her accident.
400
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 Ad Hominem Ad hominem means "To the man" in Latin. People who use this fallacy attack a person directly rather than actually refuting the person's arguments. Louise's opponent's infidelity and smoking habit have no bearing on her ability to be class president.
400
Consider the following conversation: Bill: I think capital punishment is wrong. Adam: No it isn't. If it was wrong, it wouldn't be legal. Of which fallacy is this an example?
What is Circular Reasoning Begging the question, also known as circular reasoning, is a common fallacy. In this fallacy, the proposition itself assumes that the conclusion is true. Adam has just talked himself in a circle.
400
Sarah wakes up one morning to find that she has just slept through her anatomy test. She emails her teacher and asks if she can make up the test. Sarah states that she deserves to take it over because she didn't sleep well because her boyfriend just broke up with her, her dog is sick and she stained her favorite dress. What fallacy is this?
What is Special Pleading or Emotional Appeal Special pleading is the fallacy in which a person asks for special treatment based on what he or she thinks are special circumstances. Sarah assumes that her case warrants a retake of her test, but there is no real justification for special treatment.
400
"Isaac Newton was a believer in Creation. He is one of the most legendary physicists of all time. Surely, you're not going to argue with him.“
What is Appeal to Improper Authority The appeal to authority is used when someone making an argument can't put any logical reasoning behind it. Instead of supporting an argument with evidence, the argument is supported by simply saying, "Because so-and-so said so." The argument may be correct, but the logic is still fallacious.
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