Fallacies in Argumentation

What is an Ad Hominem fallacy?

• Attacking the person making an argument rather than addressing the argument itself.

• Misrepresenting someone's argument to make it easier to attack.

• Assuming that because an authority figure supports an argument, it must be true.

• Presenting only two options when there may be others.

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Ethan argues that we should have more vegetarian options in the school cafeteria. Nora responds by saying, "Ethan wants us to stop serving meat altogether, which is ridiculous." Which fallacy is Nora committing?

• Appeal to Authority

• Strawman

• False Dilemma

• Slippery Slope

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What does the Appeal to Authority fallacy assume?

• That a small first step will lead to a chain of related events.

• That because an authority figure supports an argument, it must be true.

• That because many people believe something, it must be true.

• That a conclusion is used as a premise.

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Arjun and Priya are discussing weekend plans. Arjun says, "We can either go hiking or stay home. There's no other option." Which fallacy is Arjun committing?

• False Dilemma

• Slippery Slope

• Appeal to Emotion

• Begging the Question

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What is the Slippery Slope fallacy?

• Arguing that a small first step will lead to a chain of related events.

• Using a conclusion as a premise.

• Assuming that because something has always been done a certain way, it is correct.

• Drawing conclusions based on insufficient evidence.

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During a school debate, Abigail argued that their school should have longer recesses because it would make students happier and more relaxed. Which fallacy involves manipulating an emotional response instead of a valid argument?

• Circular Reasoning

• Appeal to Emotion

• Red Herring

• Bandwagon Fallacy

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Nora claims that her new diet plan is the best because it is the most effective diet plan available. What does the Begging the Question fallacy assume?

• The truth of the conclusion one is attempting to prove.

• That because many people believe something, it must be true.

• That a claim must be true because we lack evidence it is false.

• That a distracting argument diverts attention from the main issue.

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What is the Bandwagon Fallacy?

• Assuming that because something has always been done a certain way, it is correct.

• Assuming that because many people believe something, it must be true.

• Assuming that one event caused another because it followed it.

• Drawing conclusions based on insufficient evidence.

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Which fallacy assumes that because something has always been done a certain way, it is correct?

• Appeal to Tradition

• Red Herring

• Appeal to Ignorance

• Strawman

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What does the Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc fallacy assume?

• That a claim must be true because we lack evidence it is false.

• That because one event follows another, the first must have caused the second.

• That a small first step will lead to a chain of related events.

• That a distracting argument diverts attention from the main issue.

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