Logical Fallacies

Question 1

Slippery Slope

Answer 1

when someone makes a claim about a series of events that would lead to one major event, usually a bad event.

Question 2

Appeal to Emotion

Answer 2

(argumentum ad passiones) a logical fallacy characterized by the manipulation of the recipient’s emotions in order to win an argument, especially in the absence of factual evidence.

Question 3

Argumentum ad Hominem

Answer 3

Argument against the person: arguments attack a person’s [character] rather than [reasoning] the issues.

Question 4

Ad Populum (Bandwagon)

Answer 4

an argument that appeals to [emotions] of a certain group, despite being [logically unsound].

Question 5

Ad Misericordiam

Answer 5

an argument that appeals [to pity].

Question 6

Non-Sequitur

Answer 6

This fallacy draws conclusions [premises] that do not [necessarily imply].

Question 7

False Dichotomy

Answer 7

The either/ or fallacy that makes the assumption that [there are only two alternatives].

Question 8

Begging the Question (Circular Reasoning)

Answer 8

occurs when a writer assumes that [a statement under dispute] is in fact true; such an argument [is circular].

Question 9

Sentimental Appeals

Answer 9

tug at an audience’s heartstrings] to the point of [ignoring the fact], perhaps to keep the audience from [disagreeing with the writer].

Question 10

Equivocation (splitting hairs

Answer 10

a statement that is [partially correct] but that [purposely obscured] the entire truth.

Question 11

Faulty Analogy

Answer 11

is an [inaccurate], [inappropriate], or [misleading] comparison between two things.

Question 12

Hasty Generalization

Answer 12

draws conclusions from [scanty evidence].

Question 13

Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc

Answer 13

After this, therefore because of this: an argument assumes [causation] based on the [passing of time]`

Question 14

Ad Ignorantiam

Answer 14

An appeal to ignorance: an argument that claims something is [true or false] because there is [no evidence to prove otherwise].

Question 15

Reductio Ad Absurdum

Answer 15

Reduction to the absurd: a disproof by showing that [consequences] of the proposition [are absurd]; or proof of a proposition by showing [its negation ] leads to [contradiction].

Question 16

Guilt by Association:

Answer 16

occurs when someone connects an opponent to a demonized group of people or to a bad person in order to discredit his or her argument.

Question 17

Appeal to Nature

Answer 17

because something is ‘natural’ it is therefore valid, justified, inevitable, good or ideal.

Question 18

False Causation

Answer 18

occurs when the link between premises and conclusion depends on some imagined causal connection that probably does not exist

Question 19

Appeal to Authority

Answer 19

(argumentum ad verecundiam) Insisting that a claim is true simply because a valid authority or expert on the issue said it was true, without any other supporting evidence offered.

Question 20

Red Herring

Answer 20

attempts to [distract] by shifting attention [important] important issue.

Question 21

Straw Person

Answer 21

arguments [excessively] an opponent’s [view point] to argue against it more easily.