Chapter 4 - Fallacies Of Irrelevance

Question 1

Informal fallacy

Answer 1

An error in reasoning that does not involve the explicit use of an invalid form

Question 2

Argument against the person (ad hominem)

Answer 2

Fallacy that involves attacking the person who advanced an argument as opposed to providing a rational critique of the argument itself

Question 3

Abusive ad hominem

Answer 3

Fallacy that involves an attempt to discredit an argument or view by launching a direct personal attack

Question 4

Circumstantial ad hominem

Answer 4

Fallacy that involves an attempt to discredit an argument or view by calling attention to the circumstances or situation of those who advance it

Question 5

Tu quoque

Answer 5

Fallacy that involves an attempt to discredit an argument or view by suggesting ones opponent is hypocritical

Question 6

Straw man fallacy

Answer 6

Occurs when the arguer attacks an misrepresentation of the opponents view

Question 7

Appeal to force

Answer 7

Occurs when a conclusion is defended by a threat to the well-being of those who do not accept it

Question 8

Appeal to the people

Answer 8

An attempt to persuade a person or group by appealing to the desire to be accepted or valued by others

Question 9

Appeal to pity

Answer 9

The attempt to support a conclusion merely by invoking pity in ones audience

Question 10

Appeal to ignorance

Answer 10

Either:
A) The claim that a statement is true because it hasn’t been proven false OR
B) The claim that a statement is false because it hasn’t been proven true

Question 11

Red herring fallacy

Answer 11

Occurs when the premises of an argument are logically unrelated to the conclusion

Question 12

Fallacy of equivocation

Answer 12

When multiple meanings of a word are used in a context where validity requires a single meaning of that word or phrase

Question 13

Fallacy of amphiboly

Answer 13

When multiple meanings of a sentence are used in a context where:
A) Validity requires a single meaning AND
B) The multiple meanings of a sentence are due to sentence structure

Question 14

Fallacy of composition

Answer 14

Either:
A) An invalid inference from the nature of the parts to the nature of the whole OR
B) An invalid inference from the attributes of the members of a group to the attributes of the group itself

Question 15

Fallacy of division

Answer 15

Either:
A) An invalid inference from the nature of the whole to the nature of the parts OR
B) An invalid inference from the nature of the group to the nature of its members

Question 16

Begging the question

Answer 16

When an argument assumes the point to be proved

Question 17

False dilemma (false dichotomy)

Answer 17

When one uses a premise that unjustifiably reduces the number of alternatives to be considered

Question 18

Appeal to unreliable authority

Answer 18

An appeal to an authority when the authority may be reasonably doubted

Question 19

False cause fallacy

Answer 19

When one possible because of a phenomenon is assumed to be the cause although the reasons are lacking for excluding other possible causes

Question 20

The complex question fallacy

Answer 20

Asking a question that illegitimately presupposes some conclusion alluded to in the question

Question 21

Formal fallacy

Answer 21

An error in reasoning that involves explicit use of an invalid form

Question 22

Slippery slope

Answer 22

When the arguer assumes that a chain reaction will occur but there is insufficient evidence that one (or more) events in the chain will cause the others

Question 23

Hasty generalization

Answer 23

When a conclusion is reached without considering all of the variables. Usually shows a pattern