Chapter 3.3: Weak Induction

Question 1

Fallacies of weak induction

Answer 1

These fallacies occur because The connection between premises and conclusion is not strong enough to support the conclusion.

Question 2

Argumentum ad Verecundiam (Appeal to unqualified authority)

Answer 2

This fallacy occurs when the cited authority or witness lacks credibility.

Question 3

Argumentum ad Ignorantiam (Appeal to ignorance)

Answer 3

When the premises of an argument state that nothing has been proved one way or the other about something, and the conclusion then makes a definite assertion about the thing, the argument commits an appeal to ignorance.

Question 4

Argumentum ad Ignorantiam (appeal to ignorance) exceptions

Answer 4

1) The first stems form the fact that if qualified researches investigate a certain phenomenon within their range of expertise and fail to turn up and evidence that the phenomenon exits, this fruitless search by itself constitutes positive evidence about the question.
2) Second; In the United States and a few other countries, a person presumed innocent until proven guilty. If the prosecutor in a criminal trial fails to prove the guilt of the defendant beyond reasonable doubt, counsel for the defense may justifiably argue that his or her client is not guilty.

Question 5

Hasty Generalization (converse accident)

Answer 5

The fallacy occurs when there is a reasonable likelihood that the sample is not representative of the group. Such a likelihood may arise if the sample is either too small or not randomly selected.

Question 6

False Cause

Answer 6

The fallacy of false cause occurs whenever the link between premises and conclusion depends on some imagined causal connection that probably does not exist.

Question 7

Three sub species of False Cause

Answer 7

1) Post hoc ergo propter hoc (“after this, therefore on account of this”). Because one event precedes another event, the first event causes the second. Obviously, mere temporal secession is not sufficient to establish a causal connection.
2) Non causa pro causa “not the cause for the cause). Misidentifying the cause of something (other than mere temporal succession).
3) The variety occurs when a multitude of causes is responsible for a certain effect but the arguer selects just one of these causes and represents it as if it were the sole cause.

Question 8

Slippery Slope

Answer 8

The fallacy occurs when the conclusion of an argument rests on an alleged chain reaction and there is not sufficient reason to think that the chain reaction will actually take place.

Question 9

Weak Analogy

Answer 9

The fallacy of weak analogy is committed when the analogy is not strong enough to support the conclusion that is drawn.