Informal Fallacies (pt 2) Flashcards
When the presidential candidate was asked whether he’d name as a running mate someone who was opposed to abortion, he replied: “It would be incredibly presumptive for someone who has yet to earn his party’s nomination to be picking a vice president. However, the main criterion I would use in choosing a running mate would be whether the person was capable of being president.”
Red Herring
I know everybody thinks Einstein’s theory of relativity is correct, but I can’t accept it. Einstein believed in evolution.
Ad Hominem
Jenny: “I think abortion is the murder of innocent children.”
Clyde: “The only reason why you disagree with abortion is because you were abused as a child and you have never recovered from it.”
Genetic Fallacy
“I don’t see why you can say that speeding is wrong – you do it too.”
Tu Quoque (You Too)
My car mechanic says the best way to fix computer problems is to just give the computer a good, sharp kick.
Faulty appeal to authority
Political Candidate: “My opponent says abortion is murder – despite the fact that a recent poll concluded 76% of Americans believe an abortion does not murder an innocent child.”
Appeal to the People
Jimmy: Dad, why do I have to learn logic?
Dad: Because it will help to develop your mind.
Jimmy: Why will it develop my mind?
Dad: Because it will help you think better.
Circular Reasoning
Dad: “Son, when you grow up I want you to always be a responsible young man.”
Son: “But Dad, I am already very responsible. Whenever something breaks around here, it seems as if I am always responsible.”
Equivocation
Neighbor: “Why do you like to disturb the neighborhood by playing your music so loud everybody can hear it a mile away?”
Loaded Question
Child: “Mommy, why is this feather pillow so heavy? It only has feathers in it and little feathers weigh hardly anything.”
Part-to-Whole
If our bag of potato chips won’t float when I throw it in the pond, why will one of my potato chips float by itself?
Whole-to-Part
Either you’re an American or you are a Communist. You aren’t from America, so you must be a Communist.
Either-Or
All plumbers are brilliant. I know a plumber who can calculate Pi to the 289,954th digit.
Hasty Generalization
Clyde: “I think it is all right for governments in developing countries to execute citizens who don’t agree with the government. If you want to make an omelet, then you have to break a few eggs.”
Weak Analogy
Our rooster crows every morning. Then the sun comes up. Now do you understand how important roosters are?
Post-hoc-ergo-propter-hoc
No evidence has been found that life does not exist on other planets. Therefore, we are not alone in the universe.
Proof-by-lack-of-evidence
Prosecuting Attorney: “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I urge you to convict John Jones of this crime of murder. We need to put him where he can never commit any crimes. If you don’t convict him, you may be his next victim.”
Appeal to Fear
Radio advertisement: “Mr Jones lost the last election because his opponent used a smear campaign to discredit him. Mr Jones lost the election before that because of voter fraud. Don’t you think it is about time you voted for Mr Jones?”
Appeal to Pity
Clyde: “Dad, can I go to see the movie “Attack of the Killer Wombats?”
Dad: “No, son, you can’t go. I heard that movie has bad things in it.”
Clyde: “Awe, come on, everybody’s going to see it.”
Bandwagon
Mr: “Come on, why don’t you marry me today?”
Miss: “Oh, I can’t make up my mind. I only met you this morning. Don’t you think it is a little early.”
Mr: “I’m leaving tonight and won’t be back for several years. If you don’t marry me now, we may never have another chance.”
Exigency
“Eat Sugarloops for breakfast! Eat Sugarloops for lunch! Eat Sugarloops for supper! Eat Sugarloops all the time! You will love Sugarloops.
Repetition
In a commercial, a handsome man with big bulging muscles is seen working out on the new “Gutwrencher” exercise machine. The announcer says, “Tone up your muscles in two weeks!”
Transfer
Advertisement: “Why read those boring logic books like everybody else does? You know you’re better than that. You need more intellectual stimulation. Read The Fallacy Detective. Be more logical than the rest.”
Snob Appeal
A black and white photograph of man building a guitar. The caption reads: “Play Martin Guitars. Our expert guitar craftsmen build guitars using only the most time honored traditions.”
Appeal to Tradition
Clyde: “Hey Bert, you need to buy one of these new Niko shoes. They have hi-tech “Dinotraction.” It’s a new special feature that helps you cling onto the back of a running plesiosaur without falling off.”
Appeal to Hi-tech
