final exam (fallacies) Flashcards
Bart argues that I should quit smoking because smoking is and for my health. This is ridiculous when you consider that Bart smokes way more than I do. I think he’s up to three packs a day! His argument is nonsense.
Appeal to the person/Genetic Fallacy
in everyday conversation, people use the word argument to indicate a debate or an angry exchange. In critical thinking, however, argument refers to the assertion of reasons in support of a statement.
No fallacy
If at least seven of the ten history club members are present then the meeting will begin. In fact, eight of the history club members are present. So, the meeting will begin.
no fallacy
Todd likes playing jazz piano, eating Mexican food and watching horror movies. Sue likes playing jazz piano and eating Mexican food. So, sue probably likes watching horror movies too.
faulty analogy
World War I occured before World War II. Hence, World War II occured after the War of 1812, since WW I occurered after the War of 1812.
No fallacy
The rainfall in Seattle has been more than 75 centimeters each year for the past thirty years. It follows that the rainfall in Seattle this year will probably be more than 75 centimeters.
No fallacy
Mr. Flemming’s arguments against the rent control initiative on the September ballot should be rejected. As a landlord he would naturally be expected to oppose the initiative.
Appeal to the person/genetic fallacy
I need my glasses to drive to work but I seem to have misplaced them. My roomate tells me there are several glasses in the dishwasher. So I guess I will take a couple of those instead.
equivocation
The secretaries have asked us to provide lounge areas where they can spend their coffee breaks. This request will have to be refused. If we give them lounge areas, next they will be asking for spas and swimming pools. Then it will be racquetball courts, tennis courts, and fitness centers. Expenditures for these facilities will drive us into bankruptcy.
slippery slope
Bob is shorter than Bil, but bob is taller than barry. Hence, bill is taller than barry.
no fallacy
Brewing magnate Joseph Coors has argued that governments should get off the back of the american buissnessman. Obviously, Coors wants to abolish government altogether. Yet without government there would be no defense, no judicial systemm no security and no health. None of us want to forgo these benefits. Thus we can see that Coor’s argument is absurd.
Strawman
The french are snobby and rude. Remember those two high and mighty guys with really bad manners? They are french. I rest my case.
Hasty generalization
Clearly you are an uncultured thug. This is the case because either you are in favor of the governments support for the arts or you are an uncultured thug. And you are not in favor of the arts!
Faulty dilemma
This thousand dollar bill is very valuable. Therefore, if it is torn up into a hundred pieces, each piece should be valuable.
Division
Jim argues that minimum wage should be increased. It is clear that Jim is saying that 100% of a buisness’s profits should go to the workers. But history has shown that communism is a complete faliure. Clearly Jim’s argument is no good.
Straw man
Picasso is the greatest artist of this century. We know that this is so because art critics have desrcibed him in these terms. These art critics are correct in their assessment because they have a more keenly developed sense of appreciation than the average person. This is true because it takes a more keenly developed sense of appreciation to realize that Picasso is the greatest artist of this century.
Begging the question
