Chapter 3.1: Fallacies in General

Question 1

Fallacy

Answer 1

A fallacy is a defect in an argument that arises from either a mistake in reasoning or the creation of an illusion that makes a bad argument appear good. Both deductive and inductive arguments may contain fallacies; if they do, they are either unsound or uncogent, depending on the kind of argument.

Question 2

Formal fallacy

Answer 2

A formal fallacy is one that may be identified by merely examining the form or structure of an argument. Fallacies of this kind are found only in deductive arguments that have identifiable forms. (categorical syllogisms, disjunctive syllogisms, and hypothetical syllogisms).

Question 3

Informal fallacy

Answer 3

Informal fallacies are those tha can be detected only by examining the content of an argument.