Examples of Formal Fallacies

Question 1

The ground is wet; therefore it must have rained outside. This is an example of what fallacy?

Answer 1

Affirming the Consequent

Question 2

He owns a mansion, therefore, he is rich. He is rich, therefore, he owns a mansion. This is an example of what fallacy?

Answer 2

Affirming the Consequent

Question 3

If she commits suicide, she will be dead. She’s dead, therefore, she must have committed suicide. This is an example of what fallacy?

Answer 3

Affirming the Consequent

Question 4

For life to appear, there must be a very complex set of favorable conditions. Since these conditions are probably present on Venus, it is reasonable to conclude that there are life forms there. This is an example of what fallacy?

Answer 4

Affirming the Consequent

Question 5

Since good education has given us good technology, it follows that bad education will give us bad technology. This is an example of what fallacy?

Answer 5

Denying the Antecedent

Question 6

I asked my dad if he was going to vote for Hillary Clinton for president. He responded, “No; she’s a woman!” This is an example of what fallacy?

Answer 6

Unstated Assumption/Faulty Enthymeme

Question 7

All men are mortal. Therefore, Socrates is mortal. This is an example of what fallacy?

Answer 7

Unstated Assumption/Faulty Enthymeme

Question 8

Advocate: “God exists because the Bible proves it so.”
Opponent: “Yes, but how do we know the Bible is true.”
Advocate: “It is the word of God, of course.” This is an example of what fallacy?

Answer 8

Petitio Principii

Question 9

Guilty Boyfriend: “Baby, baby, I would never lie to you ‘cause I love you.”
Suspicious Girlfriend: “How do I know you love me?”
Guilty Boyfriend: “’Cause I just told you and I would never lie to you.” This is an example of what fallacy?

Answer 9

Petitio Principii

Question 10

A student who gets an A in the class is brilliant and only brilliant students get an A. This is an example of what fallacy?

Answer 10

Petitio Principii

Question 11

“Either you support the United States or you support the terrorists.” This is an example of what fallacy?

Answer 11

Faulty Dilemma (or Black and White Fallacy)

Question 12

You can go to college or end up homeless. This is an example of what fallacy?

Answer 12

Faulty Dilemma (or Black and White Fallacy)

Question 13

“If my opponent succeeds in implementing his proposal, he will either not have
adequate machinery or the public will ignore his new law. If he does what will be
necessary to enforce the law, he will irreparably damage individual freedoms,
creating much unrest and discomfort among the citizenry. If he provides for less than-effective enforcement, the law will have no effect on the problem he alleges exist, and hence might as well not be passed.” This is an example of what fallacy?

Answer 13

Faulty Dilemma (or Black and White Fallacy)

Question 14

“Hillary Clinton would make a horrible president. I mean, she’s a woman for Christ’s sake!” This is an example of what fallacy?

Answer 14

Non-Sequitur

Question 15

All chocolate is delicious. M&M’s are chocolate. Therefore, M&M’s are the most delicious chocolate. This is an example of what fallacy?

Answer 15

Non-Sequitur