Logic: Fallicies

Question 1

Formal Falicies

Answer 1

If p, then q.
Not P
Therefore, not q

Question 2

Subjectivism

Answer 2

I believe/want p to be true;
therefore, p
ex: p may be true for you but it is not for me

Question 3

Appeal to the Majority:

Answer 3

The majority of people/ nations/ etc.. believe p;
therefore, p
ex: How can you still believe in God? We live in the 21st Century: everyone knows there is no such thing.

Question 4

Appeal to Emotion

Answer 4

No general form; The speaker/ writer appeals to the audience’s emotion in hopes that they will commit this fallacy
ex: With your brains and good grasp of the situation, I know you will vote for Candidate X.

Question 5

Appeal to Force

Answer 5

No general form; speaker/writer will try to use ridicule, derision, sarcasm, laughter, or mockery to coerce the person into accepting some proposition.
ex: You thing Fox News is fair and balanced? Ha, what an idiot!

Question 6

Appeals to Authority

Answer 6

X says p;
therefore, p
-This argument is good just in case two conditions hold: 1. X is a competent speaker on the subject matter and 2. X is reporting what he knows w/o distortions or deceit.
ex: Everyone celebrity is a democrat, so you should be one too.

Question 7

Ad Hominem

Answer 7

Using a negative trait of the speaker as evidence that his statement is false or weak.
-X says p or stands for p + X has some negative trait;
therefore, p is false or we should reject p
ex: That pastor says we should give to the poor, but he drives a Mercedes. So, why should I care about giving to the poor?

Question 8

False Alternative

Answer 8

Either p or q + not q;
therefore, p
ex: Look, either you support the war or you are a traitor to your country. You don’t support the war. So you’re a traitor.

Question 9

Post hoc ergo propter hoc

Answer 9

A occurred before B;
therefore, A caused B
ex: Last time we won the game when I ate chicken beforehand. I better make sure to have chicken tomorrow before the big game.

Question 10

Hasty Generalization

Answer 10

inferring a general proposition from an inadequate sample of particular cases.
ex: The only male professor I’ve had this year was a chauvinist pig. All the male professors at this school must be chauvinist pigs.

Question 11

Accident

Answer 11

applying a generalization to a special case in disregard of qualities or circumstances that make it an exception to the generalization.
ex: I can’t believe that the police didn’t give the driver of the ambulance any citations. He was speeding, ran three red lights, and swerved into oncoming traffic.

Question 12

Slippery slope

Answer 12

Actions A will lead to consequence B + B will lead to C+
C will lead to D
ex: We absolutely must not lose the war in Vietnam. If South Vietnam falls to the communists then Thailand will fall to them. If Thailand falls to them, then South Korea will fall to them. Etc….

Question 13

Composition

Answer 13

All the parts of A have properties P1-Pn;
therefore, A has properties P1-Pn
ex: The bricks in this building are sturdy, so the building’s got to be sturdy.

Question 14

Division

Answer 14

A has properties P1-Pn and B is a part of A;
therefore B has properties P1-Pn
ex: He is on the most influential committee in Washington. I am sure he must be influential himself.

Question 15

Begging the question

Answer 15

P;
therefore, P
ex: Abortion is murder. Murder is wrong. So abortion is wrong.

Question 16

Equivocation

Answer 16

using a word in two different meanings in the premises and/or conclusion.
ex: Its inconsistent of Christians to say gossiping is wrong; after all Jesus said not to judge others.

Question 17

Appeal to Ignorance

Answer 17

p has not been proven false; 
therefore p is true
or 
p has not been proven true;
p is false 
ex: No one has shown that ghosts aren't real, so they must exist.

Question 18

Diversion

Answer 18

q, r, s , etc… support t;
therefore, p
ex: Every woman should have the right to an abortion on demand. There’s no question about it. These anti-abortion activists block the entrances to abortion clinics, threaten abortion doctors, and intimidate anyone who wants to terminate a pregnancy.

Question 19

Straw Man

Answer 19

Distorting, weakening, or oversimplifying or someone’s position so it can be more easily attacked.
ex: Of Course I don’t support the war in Iraq! How can anyone support the pointless sacrifice of our soldiers?