Understanding Logical Fallacies

What is a logical fallacy?

• A mistake in a logical argument

• A correct conclusion

• A scientific theory

• A mathematical proof

Which fallacy assumes that natural things are always safe?

• Straw man

• Naturalistic fallacy

• Appeal to authority

• Ad hominem

What is the main issue with the naturalistic fallacy?

• It assumes technology is always better

• It assumes natural things are always safe

• It assumes science is always wrong

• It assumes all arguments are valid

What is the difference between authority and expertise?

• Authority is based on evidence, expertise is not

• Neither are based on evidence

• Expertise is based on evidence, authority is not

• Both are based on evidence

What is the argument from lack of authority?

• Ignoring all scientific evidence

• Valuing ideas from non-experts over experts

• Trusting only ancient texts

• Believing experts are always wrong

What does the appeal to ignorance involve?

• Making conclusions based on the absence of evidence

• Making conclusions based on evidence

• Ignoring all evidence

• Trusting only popular opinions

What is the God of the gaps argument?

• Using gaps in knowledge to claim human error

• Using gaps in knowledge to claim scientific error

• Using gaps in knowledge to claim divine intervention

• Using gaps in knowledge to claim technological failure

What does an ad hominem argument attack?

• The evidence supporting the argument

• The conclusion of the argument

• The person making the argument

• The argument itself

What is a straw man argument?

• Agreeing with the argument

• Attacking a distorted version of an argument

• Ignoring the argument completely

• Attacking the person making the argument

How is scientific consensus different from popular opinion?

• Consensus is based on evidence, opinion is not

• Neither are based on evidence

• Opinion is based on evidence, consensus is not

• Both are based on evidence