Abstract_Flaws_Answer_Key

Question 1

Flaw

Answer 1

Answer

Question 2

Bases its conclusion on claims that are inconsistent with each other

Answer 2

L. Self-Contradiction

Question 3

Takes for granted that a characteristic of each part of the event must also be true of the whole event

Answer 3

J. Part vs. Whole

Question 4

Contains premises that cannot all be true

Answer 4

L. Self-Contradiction

Question 5

The conclusion is a restatement of the premise

Answer 5

D. Circular Reasoning

Question 6

Generalizes too hastily from a potentially atypical sample

Answer 6

K. Sampling Flaw

Question 7

Relies on an ambiguity in the term “trace”

Answer 7

H. Equivocation

Question 8

Assumes that the animals observed are representative of animals in general

Answer 8

K. Sampling Flaw

Question 9

Mistakes an effect for a cause

Answer 9

C. Causation Flaw

Question 10

Assumes that a condition under which a phenomenon is said to occur is the only condition under which that phenomenon occurs

Answer 10

F. Conditional Logic (Reversal) or G. Conditional Logic (Negation)

Question 11

Concludes that each part of a system has a certain property on the basis that the system itself has that property

Answer 11

J. Part vs. Whole

Question 12

Attempts to discredit a theory by discrediting those who espouse that theory

Answer 12

A. Ad Hominem

Question 13

Equivocates in regards to a central concept

Answer 13

H. Equivocation

Question 14

Rejects a claim because of its source rather than its content

Answer 14

A. Ad Hominem

Question 15

Treats a failure to prove a certain claim as proof that the claim is false

Answer 15

M. Unproven vs. Untrue

Question 16

Bases a general conclusion on too few examples

Answer 16

K. Sampling Flaw

Question 17

Fails to consider that a claim that was believed for questionable reasons is nonetheless true

Answer 17

M. Unproven vs. Untrue

Question 18

Makes an illegitimate appeal to the authority of an expert

Answer 18

B. Appeal to Inappropriate Authority

Question 19

Neglects the possibility that the phenomenon is the result of both factors

Answer 19

I. False Choice

Question 20

Fails to consider that an association between two things might be due to their common relationship to a third factor

Answer 20

C. Causation Flaw

Question 21

Presupposes what it seeks to establish

Answer 21

D. Circular Reasoning

Question 22

Overlooks the possibility that the same thing may contribute to both phenomena

Answer 22

C. Causation Flaw or I. False Choice

Question 23

Fails to consider that the end result may be caused by neither phenomenon

Answer 23

I. False Choice

Question 24

Treats a condition that is required for a certain outcome as though that condition is enough to produce that outcome

Answer 24

F. Conditional Logic (Reversal)

Question 25

Treats a potential cause as an effect

Answer 25

C. Causation Flaw

Question 26

Relies on the use of an inappropriate analogy

Answer 26

E. Comparison Flaw