Fallacies

Question 1

What is the significance of studying fallacies for students of logic?

Answer 1

Knowledge of different types of fallacies is crucial for developing critical thinking skills necessary for evaluating arguments.

Question 2

What is the etymology of the word “fallacy”?

Answer 2

The word “fallacy” derives from the Latin word “fallor,” which means “I am deceived.”

Question 3

What is another word for fallacy?

Answer 3

The term non sequitur (“it does not follow”) is another name for “fallacy”.

Question 4

How does Copi and Cohen define a fallacy?

Answer 4

Copi and Cohen simply define a fallacy as “an error in reasoning.”

Question 5

What are the two main types of fallacies?

Answer 5

The two main types of fallacies are formal fallacies and informal fallacies.

Question 6

What characterizes a formal fallacy?

Answer 6

Formal fallacies result from a misapplication of a rule of logic, leading to invalid arguments detectable through examination of their general structure.

Question 7

Give two examples of formal fallacy.

Answer 7

Denying the antecedent- “If you are a sage, then you are wise. You are not a sage. Therefore, you are not wise.”
Affirming the consequent- “If it rains, then the ground will be wet. The ground is wet.”
Therefore, it must have rained.”

Question 8

What distinguishes an informal fallacy?

Answer 8

Informal fallacies arise from defects in the content of an argument rather than its structure, typically occurring in inductive arguments.

Question 9

Why is studying informal fallacies important, according to Layman?

Answer 9

Studying informal fallacies increases our ability to resist their allure by describing and labeling the more tempting ones.

Question 10

How can informal fallacies be classified?

Answer 10

Informal fallacies can be classified into three groups: relevance, presumption, and ambiguity.

Question 11

What are fallacies of relevance also known as?

Answer 11

Fallacies of relevance are also known as material fallacies.

Question 12

List the 7 material fallacies.

Answer 12

Argumentum ad Hominem
Argumentum ad Baculum
Argumentum ad Populum
Argumentum ad Verecundiam
Argumentum ad Misericordiam
Argumentum ad Ignorantiam
Ignoratio Elenchi

Question 13

Explain the 7 fallacies of relevance.

Answer 13

1. Attacking the person
2. Appeal to Force
3. Appeal to People
4. Appeal to Authority
5. Appeal to Pity
6. Appeal to Ignorance
7. Missing the point/ red herring

Question 14

What characterizes fallacies of presumption?

Answer 14

Fallacies of presumption occur when arguments are based on unwarranted assumptions or improper use of language.

Question 15

List the types of fallacies of presumption.

Answer 15

Plurium Interrogationum
Fallacy of False: non-causa pro causa, post hoc ergo propter hoc, cum hoc ergo propter hoc.
Petition principii
A dicto simpliciter ad dictum secundum quid
A dicto secundum quid ad dictum simpliciter.

Question 16

What is the fallacy of ambiguity?

Answer 16

Fallacies of ambiguity stem from imprecise language usage.

Question 17

List the fallacies of ambiguity.

Answer 17

Equivocation
Amphiboly
Accent
Composition
Division

Question 18

Explanation of fallacies of ambiguity.

Answer 18

1. Equivocation, aka “calling two different things by the same name,” is the logical fallacy of using a word or phrase in an argument either in an ambiguous way or to mean two or more things.
2. Its ambiguous because of a grammatical error or incorrect sentence structure.
3. Stressing different syllables or using sarcasm makes the meaning unclear.

Question 19

How does the lecture conclude regarding the importance of avoiding fallacies?

Answer 19

Avoiding fallacies is crucial for maintaining the truthfulness and integrity of arguments, as fallacies undermine the reasoning process.

Question 20

Explanations of fallacies of presumption.