Fallacies

Question 1

This fallacy is committed when one attacks the person making an argument rather than the argument itself.

Answer 1

Ad Hominem

Question 2

This fallacy is committed when one argues that the origin of an idea is a reason for rejecting (or accepting) that idea.

Answer 2

Genetic Fallacy

Question 3

This fallacy is committed when one misrepresents another’s argument then attacks the misrepresented (weaker) argument rather than the actual (stronger) argument.

Answer 3

Straw Figure

Question 4

This fallacy is committed when one introduces an irrelevant topic.

Answer 4

Red Herring

Question 5

This fallacy is committed when one appeals to an unqualified authority in support of one’s claim.

Answer 5

Appeal to Authority

Question 6

This fallacy is committed when one uses a threat to compel agreement.

Answer 6

Appeal to Force

Question 7

This fallacy is committed when one appeals to the popularity of a belief as a reason to affirm its truth.

Answer 7

Appeal to Popularity

Question 8

This fallacy is committed when one appeals to the bad (or good) consequences of accepting a claim as a reason to reject (or accept) it as true.

Answer 8

Appeal to Consequences

Question 9

This fallacy is committed when one’s argument hinges on mistakenly using the same word in 2 different states.

Answer 9

Equivocation

Question 10

This fallacy is committed when someone reasons from our lack of knowledge that a claim is false (or true) to the conclusion that the claim is true (or false).

Answer 10

Appeal to Ignorance

Question 11

This fallacy is committed when someone argues, without sufficient reason, that one event will lead to a series of events ultimately ending in a further (usually disastrous) event.

Answer 11

Slippery Slope

Question 12

This fallacy is committed when one “cherry-picks” only evidence supporting their desired conclusion.

Answer 12

Texas Sharpshooter

Question 13

This fallacy is committed when one claims some event causes another just because the first event (the alleged cause) occurs before the second event (the alleged effect).

Answer 13

Post Hoc

Question 14

This fallacy occurs when someone generalizes too quickly about a group of people, things, or events

Answer 14

Hasty Generalization

Question 15

This fallacy is committed when one presumes that there are fewer options (typically two) than there actually are.

Answer 15

False Dilemma

Question 16

This fallacy is a circular argument in which a premise of the argument presumes the truth of the conclusion.

Answer 16

Begging the Question

Question 17

This fallacy is committed when one presumes that one’s
(implausible) claim is justified unless someone else demonstrates otherwise.

Answer 17

Burden of Proof Shifting