Unacceptable Premises (Presumption)

Question 0

• 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

Answer 0

Complex Question

Question 1

• 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”

Answer 1

Begging the Question

Question 2

• 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

Answer 2

False Dilemma

Question 3

• 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

Answer 3

Accident

Question 4

• 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)

Answer 4

Slippery Slope

Question 5

• 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

Answer 5

Decision-Point

Question 6

If you don’t go to college and make something of yourself, you’ll end up as an unhappy street person.

Answer 6

False Dilemma

Question 7

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.

Answer 7

Decision-Point

Question 8

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!”

Answer 8

Accident

Question 9

Why are you supporting a team that is going to lose the Super Bowl?

Answer 9

Complex Question

Question 10

If it’s on television, it has to be a good show, because only good shows get on television.

Answer 10

Begging the Questiom

Question 11

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.

Answer 11

Slippery Slope

Question 12

Homer wrote the Odyssey. Thus, Homer existed.

Answer 12

Begging the Question

Question 13

Today it’s breezy because it’s cloudy and windy today.

Answer 13

Begging the Question

Question 14

Have you stopped mistreating your girlfriend?

Answer 14

Complex Question

Question 15

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?

Answer 15

Complex Question

Question 16

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.

Answer 16

False Dilemma

Question 17

Cats don’t eat lasagna. Garfield is a cat. Thus, Garfield doesn’t eat lasagna.

Answer 17

Accident

Question 18

It is never ever okay to lie.

Answer 18

Accident

Question 19

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.

Answer 19

Slippery Slope

Question 20

The “Heap Paradox”

Answer 20

Decision-Point