Standard Form For Fallacies

Question 1

Standard form for analogies

Answer 1

1) A has characteristics X, Y, Z
2) B has characteristics X, Y, Z
3) Therefore, A and B are similar
4) A has characteristics P
5) B has characteristics P

Question 2

Standard form for generalisation

Answer 2

1) Sample S of population P has characteristics X
[2) Sample S is a very small portion of population P]
3) Therefore, the whole population of P has characteristics X

Question 3

Standard form for False Dichotomy

Answer 3

1) Either X or Y is true
2) X is not true (and/or undesirable)
3) Therefore, Y is true

Question 4

Standard form for Slippery Slope

Answer 4

1) If A, then B, then C…
2) If X, then Y, then definitely Z
3) Therefore, if A then definitely Z
4) Z is undesirable
5) Therefore, don’t do A

Question 5

Standard form for False Cause

Answer 5

1) A has been observed to come after B
2) Therefore, B is because of A