Unit 3 Lesson 9: Reasoning Flashcards
ad hominem
an argument that attacks someone’s character or motives
slippery slope
an argument that suggests wrongly that one event will lead to a chain of calamitous events
bandwagon
an assumption that something is good or true because it is popular
false dichotomy (or dilemma)
an argument that limits options to two opposite choices
bias
a personal judgment
fallacy
an unsound argument based on false or illogical evidence
premise
statement that provides reasons or support for a conclusion
false analogy
an argument that because things are alike in one way, they are alike in others
red herring
an argument in which irrelevant information distracts from relevant information
straw man
the distortion of an argument into a misrepresentation of itself
Where do fallacies in an agument show up as
Fallacies may show up in an argument as bias, misunderstanding, simple error, or intentional deceit.
Example of a ad hominem
He is too old for anyone to take his work seriously.
Example of a bandwagon
Everyone says that ours is the best lab at the university.
Example of a false analogy
Dinosaurs are big lizards, so if we spend $2 million studying dinosaurs, we should spend as much studying lizards.
Example of a false dichotomy or dilemma
If you disagree, you are not really a scientist.
Example of a red herring
Studying dinosaurs is great, but what about bird migration?
Example of a slippery slope
If we accept his proposal, we’ll be swamped by proposals on the same topic.
Example of a straw man
You say that we should teach more science in school. You must really disapprove of the arts.
What is an arguemnt that is vaild supported by
An argument that is valid is supported by logic or proof. It contains strong and sufficient premises that lead clearly to a conclusion. Often, in scientific study, what once appeared to be a valid argument is undermined as new information is discovered.
