Fallacies in Argumentation

Julianne Chung, a Yale graduate student, discusses ad hominem fallacies, which are personal attacks used to undermine arguments. She explains six types: abusive, circumstantial, tu quoque, guilt by association, genetic, and ad feminam. Each type is defined with examples, highlighting how these fallacies shift focus from the argument to the person, often without affecting the argument's validity.

What is the literal translation of 'ad hominem' from Latin?

• Against the evidence

• To the man

• Against the argument

• To the woman

Which of the following is NOT a type of ad hominem fallacy?

• Abusive ad hominem

• Circumstantial ad hominem

• Straw man

• Tu quoque

What does an abusive ad hominem argument focus on?

• The argument's logic

• The personal traits of the individual

• The evidence presented

• The context of the argument

Which of the following is an example of an abusive ad hominem fallacy?

• The argument is invalid because it lacks evidence.

• Politicians are always lying, so their statements are false.

• The conclusion is incorrect due to faulty logic.

• The source of the information is unreliable.

What distinguishes circumstantial ad hominem from abusive ad hominem?

• Focus on personal characteristics

• Focus on the situation of the individual

• Focus on the argument's logic

• Focus on the evidence presented

Which statement is an example of circumstantial ad hominem?

• The student supports summer vacation because they benefit from it.

• The argument lacks evidence, so it is false.

• The politician's argument is invalid because they are corrupt.

• The conclusion is incorrect due to faulty logic.

What does the tu quoque fallacy involve?

• Questioning the evidence

• Pointing out hypocrisy

• Focusing on the argument's logic

• Attacking the person's character

Which of the following is an example of the tu quoque fallacy?

• The source of the information is unreliable.

• The conclusion is incorrect due to faulty logic.

• The argument is invalid because it lacks evidence.

• You can't tell me to donate more when you donate less.

What is the guilt by association fallacy?

• Judging a claim based on its origin

• Judging a claim based on its evidence

• Judging a claim based on its logic

• Judging a claim based on who agrees with it

Which statement exemplifies the guilt by association fallacy?

• The source of the information is unreliable.

• The conclusion is incorrect due to faulty logic.

• The argument is invalid because it lacks evidence.

• Chocolate chip cookies are bad because a mean person likes them.