Final Exam Flashcards
Genetic Fallacy
Arguing that a claim is true or false solely because of its origin
ex. Selenas argument regarding aboriginal rights is no good, because she is of Latina descent.
Ad Hominem fallacy
“To the person”
Criticizing the person making the claim, not the claim itself
ex. 1993 PC ad attacking the way Chertien speaks
Tu Quoque fallacy
“You also”
Thinks the argument is defeated by accusing the arguer of hypocrisy
ex. Al Gore argues we must reduce our carbon footprint, but he had an enormous one
Poisoning the well fallacy
Attempting to discredit a person by saying something in advance that will cause everything the person says to be discounted
Fallacy of Composition
One commits the fallacy of composition when one argues that what is true of the parts of something must be true of the whole thing
ex. One beer can’t get you drunk, so 24 can’t get you drunk
Fallacy of Division
One commits the fallacy of division when one argues that what is true of the whole must be true of the parts of the thing
ex. Kim is pretty, so every particle making her up is pretty
Fallacy of equivocation
One equivocates when one uses a word in two senses in different premises of an argument
ex. pizza is better than nothing (1) (ie. Having nothing), and nothing (2) (ie. Not one thing) is better than sex, so pizza is better than sex
Fallacy of appeal to popularity
Arguing a claim must be true merely because a substantial number of people believe it
ex. most Canadians believe in the monarchy, so it must be good
Fallacy of appeal to tradition
Arguing that a claim must be true just because its part of a tradition
ex. women shouldn’t be allowed to vote, because they never have
Appeal to ignorance
Arguing that a lack of evidence proves something
ex. Biologists have searched for Bigfoot and never found him, so he probably doesn’t exist
Burden of proof
If someone had the burden of proof, then someone has the responsibility for providing proof for their claim
ex. “animal emotions do not exist,” is a claim that must be based on reasons. The default position is not that animal emotions don’t exist, not that they do
Fallacy of illicit appeal to emotion
The use of emotions as premises in an argument. Consists of trying to persuade someone of a conclusion solely by arousing their feelings, rather than presenting relevant reasons
Red Herring fallacy
Raising of an irrelevant issue during an argument in order to change the subject
ex. The Premiers tax policies should be popular, but I suspect he had an affair. The media should investigate that
Straw person fallacy
Occurs when someone distorts, weakens or oversimplifies someone’s position so that it can be more easily attacked or refuted
ex. Obama believes Reagan was transformative in uniting people, Clinton says Obama said he liked Reagans ideas
Unacceptable premise fallacies
Mistakes of reasoning where the conclusion is supported by a premise that is unacceptable
