Unacceptable Premises (Presumption) Flashcards
- A question phrased in such a way that it presupposes something that has not been supported
- Always contains a hidden claim that commits the person answering
Complex Question
- Attempts to establish the conclusion by using that conclusion as a premise
- Premises do not offer compelling reasons for accepting its conclusion
- Also known as a “circular argument”
Begging the Question
- Incorrectly asserting that only two alternatives exist
- Ask yourself…
- Are there any other alternatives that have been left out?
- Are the alternative truly incompatible?
- Situations in which there are only two alternatives are rare
False Dilemma
- Presupposing that a cause falls under a general rule when the case counts as an exception
- Assuming that because some principle is typically true, it must be true in this instance
Accident
- Arguing that taking a particular step will inevitably lead to a further, undesirable step or steps
- Creates the illusion that if the initial premise is accepted then so,e obviously disconnected or false claim must be accepted
- If/then statements (hypothetical syllogism)
Slippery Slope
- Arguing that because a line or distinction cannot be drawn at any point in a process, there are no differences or gradations in that process
- Arises from vague terms
- Even though we cannot identify a specific point, we can still conceptualize general differences
Decision-Point
If you don’t go to college and make something of yourself, you’ll end up as an unhappy street person.
False Dilemma
If a man has one hair on his head, he is bald, isn’t he? Suppose he has two hairs: he is also bald. This seems to suggest that a man with one million hairs on his head is also bald.
Decision-Point
A child says to an adult he observes carrying some large objects down a very small flight of stairs: “Excuse me, sir, but you are always supposed to hold onto the rail when you are going down the stairs!”
Accident
Why are you supporting a team that is going to lose the Super Bowl?
Complex Question
If it’s on television, it has to be a good show, because only good shows get on television.
Begging the Questiom
If cigarette advertising is made illegal because tobacco harms people, then pretty soon advertising for eggs and milk would be curtailed because of the cholesterol content of these products.
Slippery Slope
Homer wrote the Odyssey. Thus, Homer existed.
Begging the Question
Today it’s breezy because it’s cloudy and windy today.
Begging the Question
Have you stopped mistreating your girlfriend?
Complex Question
Before you take my daughter to the movies, I must ask you this: do you intend to conceal your history of marijuana use from me?
Complex Question
Either all U.S. universities will convert their programs entirely into online courses, or they’ll all soon go bankrupt. U.S. universities will not convert their programs entirely to online courses. So, they’ll all soon go bankrupt.
False Dilemma
Cats don’t eat lasagna. Garfield is a cat. Thus, Garfield doesn’t eat lasagna.
Accident
It is never ever okay to lie.
Accident
If we can arrive 1 minute late to a party then we can arrive 2 minutes late. If we can arrive 2 minutes late to a party then we can arrive 3 minutes late. If we can arrive 3 minutes late to a party then we can arrive 4 minutes late… Before you know it, we’ll be an hour late. So, we need to show up exactly on time to avoid being an hour late.
Slippery Slope
The “Heap Paradox”
Decision-Point
