LESSON 5: Fallacies

Question 1

What is a fallacy?

Answer 1

A type of argument that is an example of bad reasoning.

Question 2

What are formal fallacies characterized by?

Answer 2

A flawed form or structure.

Question 3

What are informal fallacies characterized by?

Answer 3

Flaws in the content of the argument.

Question 4

Why do we study fallacies?

Answer 4

To recognize when reasoning goes wrong and to avoid it.

Question 5

What is the structure of the formal fallacy of affirming the consequent?

Answer 5

If X, then Y; Y; Therefore, X.

Question 6

What is the antecedent in a conditional statement?

Answer 6

The part that comes after ‘if’.

Question 7

What is the consequent in a conditional statement?

Answer 7

The part that comes after ‘then’.

Question 8

What is an example of affirming the consequent?

Answer 8

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.

Question 9

What is the structure of the formal fallacy of denying the antecedent?

Answer 9

If X, then Y; Not X; Therefore, not Y.

Question 10

What is Modus Ponens?

Answer 10

If X, then Y; X; Therefore, Y.

Question 11

What is Modus Tollens?

Answer 11

If X, then Y; Not Y; Therefore, not X.

Question 12

What is the fallacy fallacy?

Answer 12

Rejecting a conclusion solely because a fallacy was committed in the argument.

Question 13

What is an example of begging the question?

Answer 13

Capital punishment is justified for murder because it is legitimate for a state to execute murderers.

Question 14

What does begging the question involve?

Answer 14

Assuming the truth of the conclusion in one or more premises.

Question 15

What is circular reasoning?

Answer 15

An argument where the premise and conclusion are essentially the same.

Question 16

What is a key feature of begging the question?

Answer 16

The premise does not provide independent reason for accepting the conclusion.

Question 17

How should one approach identifying fallacies to avoid humiliation tactics?

Answer 17

Focus on understanding others and improving your own reasoning.

Question 18

What is the term for an argument that has a problem with its structure?

Answer 18

Formal fallacy.

Question 19

What is the term for an argument that has a problem with its content?

Answer 19

Informal fallacy.

Question 20

Fill in the blank: A formal fallacy concerns _______ , but an informal fallacy concerns _______.

Answer 20

[structure], [content]

Question 21

Fill in the blank: A formal fallacy is a type of _______.

Answer 21

[bad argument]

Question 22

What logical error does Jamie’s argument against the conspiracy theorist commit?

Answer 22

Straw figure fallacy

A straw figure fallacy occurs when an argument misrepresents an opponent’s position to make it easier to attack.

Question 23

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’?

Answer 23

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.

Question 24

What logical error does the statement ‘Frida Kahlo is the greatest artist because no other artist is as good as her’ commit?

Answer 24

Begging the question

Begging the question is a logical fallacy where the conclusion is included in the premise of the argument.

Question 25

What type of fallacy is present in Fiona's economic argument regarding the minimum wage?

Answer 25

Fallacy fallacy ## Footnote 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.

Question 26

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'?

Answer 26

Affirming the consequent ## Footnote 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.

Question 27

What fallacy is identified in the statement: 'These students have adequately prepared for the exam since they prepared enough'?

Answer 27

Begging the question ## Footnote This fallacy occurs when the conclusion is assumed in the premise, making the argument circular.

Question 28

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'?

Answer 28

Denying the antecedent ## Footnote This fallacy assumes that just because the first part of a conditional is false, the second part must also be false.