Fallacy of the Day: Reductio ad Absurdum

Fallacy of the Day

Reductio ad absurdum

Open Ended

Explain what is flawed in the argument you just watched.

What is wrong with this argument?

I don't think it's a good idea to lower the drinking age. Next thing we know kids will get to drive at age ten, and vote at fifteen. Let kids be kids and adults be adults.

Slippery Slope

When a relatively insignificant first event is suggested to lead to a more significant event, which in turn leads to a more significant event, and so on, until some ultimate, significant event is reached, where the connection of each event is not only unwarranted but with each step it becomes more and more improbable. 

Slippery Slope

• If A, then B, then ultimately Z.

• Next thing you know...

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT an example of the Slippery Slope fallacy?

• I don't think it's a good idea to lower the drinking age. Next thing we know kids will get to drive at age ten, and vote at fifteen. Let kids be kids and adults be adults.

• The rights of the minority are every bit as sacred as the rights of the majority, for the majority's rights have no greater value than those of the minority.

• Today late for ten minutes, tomorrow late for an hour, and then someday you will simply cease to show up.

Open Ended

You didn't charge your laptop and it won't turn on. Write your own example of a Slippery Slope fallacy showing how this will lead to your life being destroyed.