Logical Fallacies 1
“Students are struggling in class because their textbooks are so old that they still talk about floppy disks and dial-up internet. Some pages are missing, and others are held together with tape. Therefore, the best solution is to replace all textbooks with pizza, because at least pizza motivates students.”
What is Missing the Point?
A logical fallacy in which an argument presents a complex situation as if there are only two possible choices, ignoring other reasonable alternatives. By rejecting one option, the arguer tries to force acceptance of the remaining option.
What is false dichotomy?
“Running shoes and bicycles are both used for exercise and help people stay healthy. It would be ridiculous to require a license to buy running shoes. Therefore, requiring a license to ride a bicycle is also ridiculous.”
What is false comparison?
This rhetorical appeal uses the speaker's reputation as a foundation for his audience to believe the speech.
What is ethos?
Everyone is getting the most recent iPhone this weekend;therefore, I need to get the phone, too.
What is the bandwagon fallacy?
This appeal occurs when an arguer tries to get people to accept a conclusion by making them feel sorry for someone.
What is the appeal to pity?
“I know the essay is supposed to be graded on the rubric, but please don’t count it late. My Wi-Fi stopped working, my Chromebook froze right when I clicked submit, my dog sat on my charger, and I had to help my mom with groceries—so it’s really not my fault.”
What is the appeal to pity?
In this appeal, the arguer basically says, "Look, there's no conclusive evidence on the issue at hand. Therefore, you should accept my conclusion on this issue."
What is the appeal to ignorance?
These rhetorical appeal uses statistical data to prove the point.
What is logos?
“No one has ever proven that the cafeteria mystery meat isn’t made from aliens. Until someone can prove it’s not alien meat, we should assume it is.”
What is the appeal to ignorance?
“Jordan says we should have less homework. But obviously that means students will forget how to read, teachers will quit, the school will turn into a giant nap zone, and we’ll all graduate knowing nothing except how to scroll on our phones. So clearly, less homework is a horrible idea.”
What is the strawman fallacy?
Definition: Partway through an argument, the arguer goes off on a tangent, raising a side issue that distracts the audience from what's really at stake. Often, the arguer never returns to the original issue.
What is a red herring?
This rhetorical appeal uses emotions to sway the opinion of the reader.
What is pathos?
“Don’t listen to Mayor Thompson’s plan to improve public transportation. Have you seen his haircut? Anyone who chooses that hairstyle clearly can’t be trusted to run a city.”
What is ad hominem fallacy?
Sliding between two definitions of the same word to confuse the argument.
“Mrs. Lee said we need to ‘cover the material’ in class. So if I just put a blanket over my textbook, I’ve covered the material, and I’m free to take a nap”
What is the equivocation fallacy?
You appealed to popularity or the fact that many people do something as an attempted form of validation.
What is the bandwagon?
This rhetorical appeal uses the right time to broach a topic for that audience.
What is Kairos?
Definition "after this, therefore because of this."
Examples: "President Jones raised taxes, and then the rate of violent crime went up. Jones is responsible for the rise in crime.“
What is post hoc? (false cause)
You presented a circular argument in which the conclusion was included in the premise.
What is begging the question?
You attacked your opponent's character or personal traits in an attempt to undermine their argument.
What is ad hominem?
List the 3 rhetorical appeals of Aristotle.
What are ethos, pathos, and logos?