Argument Terms and Fallacies : Part 2 Flashcards
Deduction
A logical process whereby one reaches a conclusion by starting with a general principle or universal truth and applying it to a specific case. Example : All apples are fruits, all fruits grow on trees; therefore, all apples grow on trees.
Either/or ( false dilemma )
A fallacy in which the speaker presents two extreme options as the only possible choices.
Faulty analogy
A fallacy that occurs when an analogy compares two things that are not comparable.
First-hand evidence
Evidence based on something the writer knows, whether it’s from personal experience, observations, or general knowledge of events.
Hasty generalization
A fallacy in which a faulty conclusion is reached because of inadequate evidence. Example : My father smoked four packs of cigarettes a day since age fourteen and lived until age sixty-nine. Therefore, smoking really can’t be that bad for you.
Induction
From the Latin inducere, “to lead into”; a logical process whereby the writer reasons from particulars to universals, using specific cases in order to draw a conclusion, which is also called a generalization. Example : I counted five or six people with green eyes; therefore all the people have green eyes.
Logical fallacy
Logical fallacies are potential vulnerabilities or weaknesses in an argument.
Open thesis
One that does not list all the points the writer intends to cover in an essay.
Fallacy ( logical fallacy )
Logical fallacies are potential vulnerabilities or weaknesses in an argument. Example : You can’t prove that there are not Martians living in caves under the surface of Mars, so it is reasonable for me to believe there are.
Post hoc ergo propter hoc
This fallacy is Latin for “after which therefore because of which”, meaning that it is incorrect to always claim that something is a cause just because it happened earlier.
Qualifier
In the Toulmin model, the qualifier uses words like usually, probably, maybe, in most cases, and most likely to temper the claim, making it less absolute.
Quantitative evidence
Quantitative evidence includes things that can be measure, cited, counted, or otherwise represented in numbers. Example : Pie charts.
Rebuttal
In the Toulmin model, a rebuttal gives voice to possible objections.
Reservation
In the Toulmin model, a reservation explains the terms and conditions necessitated by the qualifier.
Rogerian arguments
Developed by the psychiatrist Carl Rogers, Rogerian arguments are based on the assumption that having a full understanding of an opposing position is essential to responding to it persuasively and refuting it in a way that is accommodating rather than alienating.
Second- hand evidence
Evidence that is accessed through research, reading, and investigation.
Syllogism
A logical structure that uses the major premise and minor premise to reach a necessary conclusion. Example : “All love is wonder; if we justly do
Account her wonderful, why not lovely too?”
Straw man
A fallacy that occurs when a speaker chooses a deliberately poor or oversimplified example in order to ridicule or refute an idea. Example : “Senator Jones says that we should not fund the attack submarine program. I disagree entirely. I can’t understand why he wants to leave us defenseless like that.”
Toulmin model
An approach to analyzing and constructing arguments created by British philosopher Stephen Toulmin in his book The Uses of Argument.
Warrant
In the Toulmin model, the warrant expresses the assumption necessarily shared by the speaker and the audience. Example : A hearing aid helps most people to hear better.
