Test 2 chapter 5 irrelevant promises

Question 1

Genetic fallacy

Answer 1

• Nothing to do with biological genes
• Consists of argument that a claim is true or false solely because of its origin (genetic is related to the word, “Genesis”)

e.g. : The Nazis were the first to research passive smoking and prohibit smoking in public

Question 2

Appeal to the person

Answer 2

To reject a claim by criticizing the person who makes it rather than by examining the claim itself

“You should read this memoir because it’s a bestseller”

Question 3

Composition

Answer 3

Involves arguing that what is true of the parts must be true of the whole

if you stand up at a concert, you can usually see better. You may then directly infer that if everyone stands up, everyone can see better

Question 4

Division

Answer 4

Arguing that what is true of the whole must be true of the parts

“The second grade at my elementary school eats a lot of ice cream. Carlos is a second-grader in Jefferson Elementary. Therefore, Carlos eats a lot of ice cream”

Question 5

Equivocation

Answer 5

The use of a word in two different senses in an argument

“Noisy children are a real headache. Two aspirin will make a headache go away. Therefore, two aspirin will make noisy children go away”.

Question 6

Appeal to popularity

Answer 6

Arguing that a claim must be true merely because a substantial amount of people believe it

“Candidate X is leading in the polls, so you should vote for them.”

Question 7

Appeal to common practice

Answer 7

Arguing that a claim practice is ethical or wise merely because a substantial amount go people do it

“Most people do it, so it must be okay”

Question 8

Tradition

Answer 8

Arguing that a claim must be true or good because its part of a tradition

Question 9

Red Herring

Answer 9

• Irrelevant issue raised during an argument
• Rejecting a claim by criticizing the person who makes it, rather than the claim itself, is known as the ad hominem fallacy

Question 10

Appeal to ignorance

Answer 10

The fallacy of arguing that a lack of evidence proves something

Lack of evidence proves nothing; it does not give us a reason for believing a claim

Burden of proof: weight of evidence or argument required by one side in a debate of disagreement

Question 11

Appeal to emotion

Answer 11

The use of emotions in place of relevant reasons as premises in an argument

Question 12

Straw man

Answer 12

The distorting, weakening, or oversimplifying of someone else’s position so it can be more easily attacked or criticized