Chapter 4 Section D- 4E

Question 1

Fallacies of unwarranted assumption:

Answer 1

Arguments that assume the truth of some unproved or questionable claim.

Question 2

Begging the question:

Answer 2

In one type, the fallacy occurs when a premise is simply reworded in the conclusion. In a second type, called circular reasoning, a set of statements seem to support each other with no clear beginning or end point. In a third type, the argument assumes certain key information that may be controversial or is not supported by facts.

Question 3

Complex question:

Answer 3

The fallacy occurs when a single question actually contains multiple parts and an unestablished hidden assumption.

Question 4

Appeal to ignorance:

Answer 4

An argument built on a position of ignorance claims either that (1) a statement must be true because it has not been proven to be false or (2) a statement must be false because it has not been proven to be true.

Question 5

Appeal to an unqualified authority:

Answer 5

An argument that relies on the opinions of people who either have no expertise, training, or knowledge relevant to the issue at hand, or whose testimony is not trustworthy.
False dichotomy: A fallacy that occurs when it is assumed that only two choices are possible, when in fact others exist.

Question 6

False dichotomy:

Answer 6

A fallacy that occurs when it is assumed that only two choices are possible, when in fact others exist.

Question 7

Fallacy of diversion:

Answer 7

A fallacy that occurs when the meanings of terms or phrases are changed (intentionally or unintentionally) within the argument, or when our attention is purposely (or accidentally) diverted from the issue at hand.

Question 8

Equivocation

Answer 8

The fallacy occurs when the conclusion of an argument relies on an intentional or unintentional shift in the meaning of a term or phrase in the premises.

Question 9

Straw man:

Answer 9

The fallacy occurs when someone’s argument is misrepresented in order to create a new argument that can be easily refuted. The new argument is so weak that it is “made of straw.” The arguer then falsely claims that his opponent’s real argument has been defeated.

Question 10

Red herring:

Answer 10

A fallacy that occurs when someone completely ignores an opponent’s position and changes the subject, diverting the discussion in a new direction

Question 11

Misleading precision:

Answer 11

A claim that appears to be statistically significant but is not.

Question 12

Missing the point

Answer 12

When premises that seem to lead logically to one conclusion are used instead to support an unexpected conclusion.

Question 13

Begging the Question

Answer 13

Assumes as evidence in the premises the very thing that it attempts to prove in the conclusion.

Question 14

Complex Question

Answer 14

A single question that actually contains multiple parts and an unestablished hidden assumption.