Exam 2 Deck 4

Question 1

One tries to prove a conclusion other than the one at issue.

Answer 1

Irrelevant Thesis

Question 2

Consciously diverting attention from the issue.

Answer 2

Red Herring

Question 3

Misrepresents an opponent’s proposition so it’s easy to attack

Answer 3

Straw man argument

Question 4

One advances a claim that can’t be disproved since any evidence whatsoever can be interpreted as being consistent with the claim.

Answer 4

Non-falsifiable claim

Question 5

Certain beliefs or principles are assumed to be beyond dispute even to the point where they overrule observed facts.

Answer 5

Apriorism

Question 6

A claim is supported by evidence having the same meaning as the claim or by evidence that provides no independent support.

Answer 6

Begging the question

Question 7

An achievable good is rejected for the sake of a best at is unlikely ever to be achieved

Answer 7

Unobtained perfection

Question 8

An arguer adopts a double standard favoring one side of the issue over its alternatives

Answer 8

Special pleading

Question 9

One improperly shifts the burden of proof by asserting that the inability to disprove one’s position must be taken as proof of its truth.

Answer 9

Appeal to Ignorance

Question 10

Americans are constantly being urged to support government anti-poverty programs. But these efforts are misguided since man does not live by bread alone. Our greatest problems result from the spiritual poverty of our people. The crying need of our age is reform of the human heart.

Answer 10

Unobtained perfection

Question 11

A mother to her child: Steven, I don’t care if you don’t like spinach. Don’t you know there are people starving all over the world.

Answer 11

Irrelevant Thesis, Red Hering

Question 12

How do I know he’s not guilty? Because he’s innocent, that’s why.

Answer 12

Begging the Question

Question 13

The senator has said we should not deploy the proposed Star Wars anti-ballistic missile system. I disagree entirely. I cannot understand why he would want to leave us defenseless like that.

Answer 13

Straw Man Argument

Question 14

Television violence doesn’t do any harm. None of the surveys that have been conducted have ever proved that it does.

Answer 14

Appeal to Ignorance

Question 15

The human soul is immortal, for not a shadow of a doubt exists that the noble spirit that animates the human clay will survive the catastrophe of death and continue to exist for all eternity.

Answer 15

Begging the Question

Question 16

Capitalism has always left areas of poverty, hardship, and misallocated resources. Socialism, on the other hand, has never been properly tried.

Answer 16

Special pleading

Question 17

Despite all the hardships I’ve endured in my life–growing up poor, my debilitating illness, the death of my youngest child, and my husband’s infidelity–I know that everything happens for a reason.

Answer 17

Non-falsifiable claim

Question 18

I don’t care what your surveys show. You can’t tell me our product isn’t the highest quality in the market.

Answer 18

Apriorism

Question 19

An argument against a bond measure: We admit that this measure is popular. But there are so many bond issues on this ballot that the whole thing is getting ridiculous.

Answer 19

Red Hering

Question 20

Set of reasons on a conclusion

Answer 20

Argument

Question 21

The claim or proposition the argument seeks to establish; what is at issue. Conclusions should be clear and rationally contestable.

Answer 21

Conclusion

Question 22

Reasons offered in support of the conclusion.

Answer 22

Premises

Question 23

Relatively factual data or grounds advanced in support of the claim. Usually reliable but must also be relevant.

Answer 23

Evidence

Question 24

Less reliable beliefs and assumptions used to support the conclusion.

Answer 24

Postulates

Question 25

Goals, preferences, and norms bearing on the conclusion, these are often implicit, not overtly stated.

Answer 25

Values

Question 26

Statements expressing plausible inferential leaps from premises toward conclusions,

Answer 26

Warrants

Question 27

Discretionary material that serves specialized purposes.

Answer 27

Accessories

Question 28

Non-reason giving parts of an argument that try to influence the audience. Usually omitted from argument analysis.

Answer 28

Rhetoric

Question 29

Words that indicated the degree of commitment or force with which the argument’s conclusion is proposed.

Answer 29

Rebuttals

Question 30

Material that tries to disarm possible objections to the argument.

Answer 30

Refutation

Question 31

Consist of a number of individual strands or lines of reasoning, each providing independent support for the conclusion. One strong line of reasoning could be enough to establish a claim.

Answer 31

Rope argument

Question 32

Consists of reasons that are independent like the links in a chain. Such arguments are no stronger than their weakest link.

Answer 32

Chain Argument