Definitions Day 1
Occurs when someone claims something is true simply because a recognized authority figure said it, without providing any further evidence or reasoning to support the claim.
Appeal to authority
Person A: "I’m the best candidate for the job."
Person B: "Why do you think that?"
Person A: "Because I’m the most qualified for the job."
Circular Reasoning
Arguing that one small step will inevitably lead to a chain of negative events.
Slippery Slope
"All my friends are getting the latest smartphone, so I should get one too, or I'll be left out."
Bandwagon
What sport does Ms. Young coach?
Track and Field
Occurs when the evidence used to support a claim is just a repetition of the claim itself.
Circular Reasoning
Person A: "I think we should allow students to have some say in their school policies."
Person B: "Either you let students control everything, or you don’t let them have any input at all."
False Dilemma
Assuming that because 2 things are correlated, one causes the other.
False Cause
"Sure, I may have made a mistake in the report, but don’t you think it's a bigger issue that the company hasn’t raised employee wages in years?"
Red Herring
What is Ms. Young's favorite color?
Blue
A logical fallacy that presents a limited number of options as if they were the only options available.
False Dilemma
Person A: "I don’t think exercise is necessary for a healthy life."
Person B: "But Dr. Smith, a renowned doctor, says that exercise is overrated. He must be right!"
Appeal to authority
Introducing irrelevant information to distract from the main issue.
Red Herring
"If we legalize marijuana, next people will want to legalize all drugs, and soon society will be overwhelmed with addiction and crime."
Slippery Slope
What is Ms. Young's dogs name?
Penny!
Occurs when someone misrepresents an opponent's argument in order to make their own argument seem stronger.
Straw Man
Person A: "I believe we should address climate change by investing in renewable energy sources."
Person B: "Well, you're just a college student with no real-world experience, so your opinion doesn't really matter.”
Ad Hominem
Assuming something is true because many people believe it.
Bandwagon
"I met two people from New York City, and they were both rude. Therefore, everyone from New York City must be rude."
Hasty Generalization
Say your own example of a bandwagon fallacy
Any answer
Occurs when someone attacks the person making an argument instead of the argument itself.
Ad Hominem
Person A: "We should have more regulations on industrial pollution to protect the environment."
Person B: "Person A wants to shut down all factories and put everyone out of work!”
Straw Man
Making a broad conclusion based on a small or unrepresentative sample.
Hasty Generalization
"After the new mayor took office, crime rates went up. Therefore, the new mayor must be causing the increase in crime."
False cause
Say your own example of a Hasty generalization fallacy
Any answer