Fallacy Illustrations

Question 1

Equivocation (Wordplay)

Answer 1

When different definitions are used for the same word, or when a word is taken in a different way than intended.

Question 2

Appeal to Pity

Answer 2

This fallacy occurs when one tries to persuade by invoking the listener to feel sorry for the individual or group. While pity may be an appropriate reaction, it is not always a valid means of persuasion.

Question 3

Red Herring

Answer 3

The introduction of an irrelevant side issue to distract and confuse the case being presented. Often positive reasons are offered that have nothing to do with the conclusion.

Question 4

Ad Hominem

Answer 4

This fallacy is committed when, instead of dealing with what a person is arguing, someone attacks his or her character. Typically that has no bearing on the truth or falsehood of the claim

Question 5

Appeal to Ignorance

Answer 5

To argue that something is true because it has not been proven false, or something is false because it has not been proven true.

Question 6

Hasty Generalization

Answer 6

When a person gathers too little information to support the conclusion being argued

Question 7

Sweeping Generalization

Answer 7

a general rule is taken and applied to all instances not recognizing any exceptions.

Question 8

“The end of a thing is its perfection; death is the end of life; therefore, death is the perfection of life.”

Answer 8

Equivocation (Wordplay)

Question 9

The sign stated, “Fine for parking here.” Since it said “fine,” I parked here.

Answer 9

Equivocation (Wordplay)

Question 10

If we outlaw abortion, countless women will die in all back alley abortions.

Answer 10

Appeal to Pity

Question 11

I’m on probation, sir. If I don’t get a good grade in this course I won’t be able to stay in school. Please could you let me have at least a C?

Answer 11

Appeal to Pity

Question 12

The so-called theories of Einstein are merely the ravings of a mind polluted with liberal, democratic nonsense, which is utterly unacceptable to German men of science

Answer 12

Ad Hominem

Question 13

You’re wrong because you are intolerant, closed-minded, right-wing fundamentalist.

Answer 13

Ad Hominem

Question 14

The Senator is incorruptibly honest; no one has ever uncovered a scandal involving him

Answer 14

Appeal to Ignorance

Question 15

There must be intelligent life in outer space, because no one has been able to prove that there isn’t.

Answer 15

Appeal to Ignorance

Question 16

Marijuana can’t be all that bad. Everyone knows about barroom brawls, but marijuana makes people peaceful.

Answer 16

Red Herring

Question 17

I fail to see why hunting should be considered cruel when it gives me tremendous pleasure

Answer 17

Red Herring

Question 18

Women are so sentimental. Whenever we go to the movies my mother and sister cries, my dad and myself never do

Answer 18

Hasty Generalization and Sweeping Generalization

Question 19

All Christians hate homosexuals, at least all the ones I know do

Answer 19

Hasty Generalization and Sweeping Generalization