Fallacies Flashcards
To identify fallacies
What is a preconceived idea?
Societal assumptions that have a decisive influence on our thinking. They are obstacles to clear thinking.
What is a fallacy?
Is a deceptive argument that attempts to persuade us. They contain flaws in reasoning
Name the distraction fallacies
Slipper slope Straw man Complex questions Begging the question Faulty analogy Equivocation
Name the emotional fallacies
Ad hominem argument False appeal to authority Appeal to force Appeal to masses False dilemma Hasty generalisation
Name the structural fallacies
Affirming the consequent
Denying the antecedent
Latin for begging the question
Petition principii
Latin for ad hominem argument
Argumentum ad hominem
Latin for false appeal to authority
Argumentum ad vericundiam
Latin for appeal to force aka coercion
Argumentum ad baculum
Latin for appeal to masses
Argumentum ad populum
Another word for false dilemma
Excluded middle
What is slippery slope
Chain reasoning (if so then something else)
What is straw man
Making yourself appear strong by ridiculing the oppositions argument
Define begging the question
Circular reasoning. Argued assumes the truth of what he wants to hear.
What is equivocation
Play on words. Use of the same word in different contexts
What is a complex question?
A question where where two or more questions are combined. Demanding a yes or no answer
What is a faulty analogy
Comparison between different things that has no similarities
Define ad hominem arguments
Making a personal attack or the argues character to discredit what is being said
Define false appeal to authority
Citing and authorities or famous person who is not an expert in the field of discussion
Appeal to forces
Using coercion to force people to accept your answers. Eg threats
What is appeal to the masses
Popular feelings in the subject
False dilemma
The presentation of and either or choice . Not noting the other alternatives
What is hasty generalisation?
A generalisation is drawn with lack of evidence
Affirming the consequent
If P then Q
P=Q
Denying the antecedent
If P then Q
Not Q= Not P
Define the term argument
A collection of statements. To convince you the the conclusion is true and acceptable
What is a statement
An assertion that is either true or false.
What is a premise
A statement in an argument that leads to or serves as a reason for accepting the conclusion
What is a conclusion
A statement that the premises are intended to support. Also called the point
What is a simple argument?
Argument that has 1 conclusion
What is the principal of charitable interpretation
It entails that when more than 1 interpretation of an argument is possible. The argument should be interpreted so that the premise supports the conclusion strongly
