LR - Common Flaws Flashcards
Causation/correlation
overlooked possibility; arguer takes two things that happen at the same time and concludes that one of those things caused the other
What two important possibilities does the arguer overlook in a causation/correlation flaw?
a third, unaccounted-for thing could actually be the cause; the cause-and-effect could actually be the reverse order of what the arguer believes
Sampling
the arguer draws a general conclusion based on what’s true about an inappropriate or biased sample
Faulty Analogy
the arguer compare two things or two situations, but the two things or situations being compared aren’t sufficiently alike
Ad hominem
the arguer attacks another arguer instead of the argument itself
Why is ad hominem a flaw?
the identity or motives of an arguer don’t affect the validity of that person’s argument
Quantity versus percent
the arguer treats quantities and percents of something as if they’re interchangeable
What is the flaw with quantity versus percent?
percents by themselves don’t tell you anything about actual numbers
False dichotomy
the arguer acts like there are only two choices, when in fact it isn’t an “either/or” situation
Lack of evidence as proof
the arguer takes a lack of evidence for a conclusion as if that conclusion is definitely wrong; “evidence of absence”
Possible vs. certian
the speaker assumes that because something is possible, then it’ll happen
Circular reasoning
the arguer assumes that his or her conclusion is already true when attempting to prove that same conclusion; “begging the question”
Equivocation
the arguer uses a potentially ambiguous term in more than one sense and consequently misleads the reader
“Last summer, ice cream sales decreased while homicide rates more than doubled in this region. We should look into selling more ice cream in order to keep people safer.” is an example of what flaw?
Causation/correlation
“Everyone I know wants to quit their job, so this country is headed for an employment crisis.” is an example of what flaw?
Sampling
“My doctor tells me it’s bad for your lungs to smoke cigarettes, but I know he’s lying. I saw him furtively smoking a cigarette the other day.” is an example of what flaw?
Ad hominem
“10% of the people with Disease X died last year, whereas 50% of the people with Disease Y died last year. Clearly, Disease Y is hurting our population growth more than Disease X is.” is an example of what flaw?
Quantity versus percent
“Alien life has never been discovered, so it’s clear that alien life doesn’t exist” is an example of what flaw?
Lack of evidence as proof
“If you’re not with us, then you’re against us.” is an example of what flaw?
False dichotomy
“Last year we didn’t have enough budget money for employee raises, but this year there’s plenty of money in the budget. So, it’s clear that the company will give out raises this year.” is an example of what flaw?
Possible vs. certain
“Duplicity is an unattractive characteristic, since it’s repulsive to lie and deceive.” is an example of what flaw?
Circular reasoning
“A feather is light, and what’s light can’t be dark, so a feather can’t be dark.” is an example of what flaw?
Equivocation
