LESSON 5: Fallacies Flashcards
What is a fallacy?
A type of argument that is an example of bad reasoning.
What are formal fallacies characterized by?
A flawed form or structure.
What are informal fallacies characterized by?
Flaws in the content of the argument.
Why do we study fallacies?
To recognize when reasoning goes wrong and to avoid it.
What is the structure of the formal fallacy of affirming the consequent?
If X, then Y; Y; Therefore, X.
What is the antecedent in a conditional statement?
The part that comes after ‘if’.
What is the consequent in a conditional statement?
The part that comes after ‘then’.
What is an example of affirming the consequent?
If I am in New York, then I am in the United States. I am in the United States. Therefore, I am in New York.
What is the structure of the formal fallacy of denying the antecedent?
If X, then Y; Not X; Therefore, not Y.
What is Modus Ponens?
If X, then Y; X; Therefore, Y.
What is Modus Tollens?
If X, then Y; Not Y; Therefore, not X.
What is the fallacy fallacy?
Rejecting a conclusion solely because a fallacy was committed in the argument.
What is an example of begging the question?
Capital punishment is justified for murder because it is legitimate for a state to execute murderers.
What does begging the question involve?
Assuming the truth of the conclusion in one or more premises.
What is circular reasoning?
An argument where the premise and conclusion are essentially the same.
What is a key feature of begging the question?
The premise does not provide independent reason for accepting the conclusion.
How should one approach identifying fallacies to avoid humiliation tactics?
Focus on understanding others and improving your own reasoning.
What is the term for an argument that has a problem with its structure?
Formal fallacy.
What is the term for an argument that has a problem with its content?
Informal fallacy.
Fill in the blank: A formal fallacy concerns _______ , but an informal fallacy concerns _______.
[structure], [content]
Fill in the blank: A formal fallacy is a type of _______.
[bad argument]
What logical error does Jamie’s argument against the conspiracy theorist commit?
Straw figure fallacy
A straw figure fallacy occurs when an argument misrepresents an opponent’s position to make it easier to attack.
What fallacy is committed in the argument: ‘It must be true if she said it. She did not say it. Consequently, it must not be true’?
Denying the antecedent
Denying the antecedent is a formal fallacy that occurs when an argument assumes that if the first part of a conditional statement is false, then the second part must also be false.
What logical error does the statement ‘Frida Kahlo is the greatest artist because no other artist is as good as her’ commit?
Begging the question
Begging the question is a logical fallacy where the conclusion is included in the premise of the argument.
What type of fallacy is present in Fiona’s economic argument regarding the minimum wage?
Fallacy fallacy
The fallacy fallacy occurs when an argument is dismissed based solely on the presence of a fallacy in its reasoning, without considering the truth of the conclusion.
What is the type of fallacy in the statement: ‘If Gayle takes the medication, then her condition will improve. Gayle’s condition improved. Therefore, Gayle took the medication’?
Affirming the consequent
Affirming the consequent is a formal fallacy that occurs when someone assumes that if the second part of a conditional statement is true, the first part must also be true.
What fallacy is identified in the statement: ‘These students have adequately prepared for the exam since they prepared enough’?
Begging the question
This fallacy occurs when the conclusion is assumed in the premise, making the argument circular.
What is the type of fallacy in the argument: ‘If Hana is happy, then she performs well at her job. Hana is unhappy today. Therefore, Hana will not perform well at her job today’?
Denying the antecedent
This fallacy assumes that just because the first part of a conditional is false, the second part must also be false.
