Examples of Circumstantial Fallacies (Signal Fallacies) Flashcards
“J. Robert Oppenheimer was seen in the company of Luther Perkins, a known communist
spy. Shortly thereafter, atomic secrets were smuggled out of the country by men
associated with Luther Perkins. We can conclude that Oppenheimer is probably a
communist spy.” This is an example of what fallacy?
Hasty Generalization
You go to the doctor and tell him/her that you are loosing weight. He diagnoses you with aids. This is an example of what fallacy?
Hasty Generalization
My boyfriend stopped returning my phone calls. He must be cheating on me. This is an example of what fallacy?
Hasty Generalization
“The USA men’s Olympic basketball team is going to be outstanding defensive unit since all of its members are excellent defensive NBA players.”This is an example of what fallacy?
Fallacy of Composition
All of the members in my group are A students, so we are going to get an A on our project. This is an example of what fallacy?
Fallacy of Composition
Because the USA basketball team plays great “team defense”, we can conclude that all of the individual players are great defensive players. This is an example of what fallacy?
Fallacy of Division
“In San Francisco, where there is the constant threat of an earthquake, the people seem to
live a life of reckless abandon. Decadence reigns supreme. Drug use, prostitution, and a
variety of crimes are significantly higher than in the rest of the country. It is as if
everyone wanted to live it up while they still have the chance.” This is an example of what fallacy?
Equivocal Sign
The girl doesn’t have much of an apetite; therefore, she must have a sign of an eating disorder. This is an example of what fallacy?
Equivocal Sign
My last boyfriend acted weird and then broke up with me. Now, my new boyfriend is acting weird, so he is going to break up with me. This is an example of what fallacy?
Constant Sign
In the Middle Ages, obesity was a sign of affluence. So obesity today must be a sign of affluence. This is an example of what fallacy?
Constant Sign
“The American flag is the symbol of our greatness as a nation. Anyone who burns it, for
whatever personal reason, is a traitor and probably a subversive.” This is an example of what fallacy?
Mystic Sign
truth of part therefore truth of whole
The Fallacy of composition
Whole is true therefore parts must be true
Fallacy of Division
Signs that could be confused to lots of things
“no proof”
Equivocal Sign
Two different situations & time but conclude it will have the same outcome
Constant Sign
