fallacies

fallacies

Sweeping Generalization — an argument based on an unqualified generalization

EX: All high school students are irresponsible.

 Oversimplification — an argument that makes simple of a very complex issue by using catchy phrases such as: “It all boils down to...”or “It’s a simple question of...”, etc.

EX: Censorship is a simple question of protecting our children from obscenities.

 False Analogy — an argument that assumes a fundamental similarity between two things that resemble each other only in part

EX: A college has no right to fire a popular teacher. To do so is like throwing out of office a public official who has just been reelected by the majority of the voters.

False Cause (Post Hoc) — this argument equates sequence with causality: Because Event A was followed by Event B, the first caused the second

EX: Every time I wash my car, it rains. I washed my car today; therefore, it will rain today.

Multiple Choice

Barbara Striesand, Paul Newman and Julia Roberts are Democrats. Therefore all Hollywood stars are Democrats.

• Ad Hominem

• Slippery Slope

• Hasty generalization

• All are incorrect

Multiple Choice

The ship of state is like a ship at sea. No sailor is allowed to protest orders from the captain. So no citizens should be allowed to protest presidential policies.

• Red Herring

• False analogy

• Ad hominem

• Oversimplification

Multiple Choice

Smirnoff is the best vodka available: renowned violinist Pichas Zukerman says, “When it comes to vodka, Smirnof plays second fiddle to none.

• Ad hominem

• Oversimplification

• Appeal to authority

• All are incorrect

Multiple Choice

There’s a lot of talk these days about getting the pesticides out of our fruits and vegetables. But many of these foods are essential to our health. Carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A, broccoli is rich in iron, and oranges and grapefruits have lots of vitamin C.

• Oversimplification

• Slippery Slope

• Red Herring

• Oversimplification

Multiple Choice

The secretaries have asked for lounge areas where they can take their coffee breaks. We’ll have to turn down this request. If we give them the lounge areas, next they’ll want a t.v., and then snack machines, a spa and a swiming pool. We can’t afford all that.

• Red Herring

• Hasty Generalization

• False Analogy

• Slippery Slope

Multiple Choice

Order is indispensable to justice because justice can be achieved only by means of a social and legal order. Ernst Van Den Haag, Punishing Criminals

• Begging the question

• False Analogy

• Appeal to Ignorance

• All are incorrect

Multiple Choice

Order is indispensable to justice because justice can be achieved only by means of a social and legal order. Ernst Van Den Haag, Punishing Criminals

• Begging the question

• False Analogy

• Appeal to Ignorance

• All are incorrect

Multiple Choice

No one can prove that extrasensory perception doesn’t happen, so therefore it’s a legitimate theory.

• . Arguing by Association

• Appeal to Ignorance

• False Analogy

• Hasty Generalization