Fallacies

Question 1

argumentum ad hominem

Answer 1

• dismiss position by dismissing person
• “what do I think about the president’s proposal for immigration reform? It’s ridiculous, he just wants Latino votes” (attackers person not proposal)

Question 2

poisoning the well

Answer 2

-dismiss what someone is going to say by talking about the person’s consistency, character, or circumstances

Question 3

guilt by association

Answer 3

-dismiss belief by associating belief with someone/something we don’t like

Question 4

genetic fallacy

Answer 4

• argues that the origin in and of itself automatically renders it false
• attacks origin of idea
• “where on earth did you hear that? On talk radio?”
• “That idea is absurd. It’s just something the tea party put out there”

Question 5

straw man

Answer 5

• attempts to dismiss argument by distorting it or misrepresenting it
• “what do I think about outlawing large ammunition clips? I think the idea of disarming everyone is ridiculous and dangerous”

Question 6

perfectionist fallacy

Answer 6

• when author ignores options between perfection and nothing

- “a single course won’t make anyone a great writer, so I don’t see why we have to take one”

Question 7

line drawing fallacy

Answer 7

• when author assumes that either a crystal clear line can be drawn between two things or there is no difference between them.
• “you can’t exactly say when a video game is too violent; therefore no video game is too violent”

Question 8

misplacing the burden of proof

Answer 8

-shifting blame to you

Question 9

begging the question

Answer 9

• when author supports claim by offering claim as evidence

- “obviously the president told the truth. He wouldn’t lie to us about it”