Fallacies

Question 1

fallacies

Answer 1

flawed arguments with logical defect

Question 2

hasty generalization

Answer 2

making an assumption about a whole group or range of cased based on a sample that is inadequate

Question 3

post hoc

Answer 3

(a.k.a. false cause) assumes that because B comes after A, A caused B

Question 4

slippery slope

Answer 4

the arguer claims that a sort of chain reaction, usually ending in some dire consequence, will take place, but there usually isn’t enough evidence for that assumption

Question 5

weak analogy

Answer 5

two things are being compared that aren’t really alike in the relevant respects

Question 6

ad populum

Answer 6

the author uses the desire most people have to be liked and to fit in with others to try to get the audience to accept his or her argument

Question 7

ad hominem

Answer 7

the arguer attacks his or her opponent instead of the opponent’s argument

Question 8

appeal to ignorance

Answer 8

because there is no conclusive evidence on the issue, the audience should accept the author’s conclusion

Question 9

straw man

Answer 9

the arguer sets up a wimpy version of the opponent’s position and tries to score points by knocking it down

Question 10

red herring

Answer 10

partway through an argument, the arguer goes off on a tangent, raising a side issue that distracts the audience from what’s really at stake

Question 11

begging the question

Answer 11

(a.k.a. circular reasoning) an argument that begs the question asks the reader to simply accept the conclusion without providing real evidence