Irrelevant Premises (Unclear Language) Flashcards
- The use of a word in two different senses in an argument
- Arises from ambiguity
- To identify, look for a crucial expression being “equivocated on”
- To avoid, clearly define questionable expressions
Equivocation Fallacy
All laws require a lawmaker. Galileo’s principle of inertia is a law. Thus, Galileo’s principle of inertia requires a lawmaker.
Equivocation Fallacy
Entertainment Television features news about stars. So, probably many astronomers watch Entertainment Television.
Equivocation Fallacy
- Arguing that what is true of the parts must be true of the whole.
- Mistakingly assuming that an item has a certain property because all or most of its parts have that property.
Composition Fallacy
Each part of a computer consumes very little energy. Thus, a computer consumes very little energy.
Composition Fallacy
Each player for the Chicago Cubs is an excellent player. Thus, the Chicago Cubs are and excellent team.
Composition Fallacy
- Arguing that what is true of the whole must be true of the parts or that what is true of a group is true of individuals in the group
- Opposite of Composition Fallacy
Division Fallacy
The annual National Spelling Bee contest has grown popular over the years, partly as a result of the Academy Award-nominated documentary Spellbound. Therefore, the fourteen-year old girl from Ohio who has won the spelling bee has grown popular over the years.
Division Fallacy
The U.S. Congress represents every state in the Union. Therefore, each member of the U.S. Congress represents every state in the Union.
Division Fallacy
- The distorting, weakening, or oversimplifying of someone’s position so it can be more easily attacked or refuted
- Premises attempt to undermine a view through misrepresenting what that view is
- Commonly used in comparative advertisements
Straw Man
My opponent says she favors abolishing the death penalty. But what she is really saying is that it’s fine for murderers to be housed and fed for years at taxpayer expense, and that it’s okay with her if they are if they are ultimately released to prey on our citizens again.
Straw Man
I hear that Canadians are really nice people. Therefore, Derek, who is from Saskatchewan, must be really nice.
Division Fallacy
That bookstore calls themselves “family-friendly” but really that’s just a nice way of saying they are for banning certain books. They should call it what it is - blatant, restrictive censorship!
Straw Man
Each time I watch the Star Wars movies, I love them. Therefore, I’ll also love the experience of going to the 72-hour nonstop Star Wars movie watching retreat.
Composition Fallacy
I don’t know what the fuss is about natural foods - everything I eat comes from some part of the Earth, so there isn’t any difference.
Equivocation Fallacy
