Unit 5

Question 1

What is a false dilemma fallacy?

Answer 1

example: Either A or B - Not A, Then B – These arguments can create a false dilemma as it gives two options or two outcomes without considering other outcomes/options ie Either we get rid of all cats or mice will go instinct

Question 2

What is a slippery slope fallacy?

Answer 2

If A, then B, and if B, then C and if C, then D and so on… This becomes a slippery slope fallacy when one of the premises is doubtful or doesn’t really connect.

Question 3

Strawman fallacy?

Answer 3

Strawman fallacy includes a premise that inaccurately describes the opponent’s position and has an implicit premise that you should support the speaker or the untenable position of the opponent.

Question 4

Affirming the consequent?

Answer 4

If A, then B.
B,
then A - Fallacious

Question 5

Denying the antecedent?

Answer 5

If A, then B.
Not A
Not B - Fallacious

Question 6

Equivocation

Answer 6

When a word or expression shifts meaning from one premise to another

Question 7

Begging the question

Answer 7

If a premise is either a restatement of the conclusion or a statement that raises doubt just as much as the conclusion, then the argument doesn’t make any progress toward supporting the conclusion and is guilty of begging the question

Example: The bible says God exists, and everything the bible says is true because God wrote it. Therefore, God exists.

Question 8

How can a fallacy be persuasive?

Answer 8

Distraction, resemblance, emotion, or emotion and resemblance combined.

Question 9

Emotion Fallacies

Answer 9

Fallacies that provide a motive for belief rather than supporting reasons

Question 10

3 kinds of emotion fallacies

Answer 10

Appeal to force - When you agree to something because if you don’t they will hurt you (does not have to be physical harm)

Appeal to pity - When you agree to something because if you don’t they will be hurt

Prejudicial language - Used to advance a bad argument when the prejudicial expressions makes false implications ie I hope you don’t like Trudeau’s outdated and backwards policies.

Question 11

Appeal to Authority

Answer 11

An authority is cited outside of their field of study
The matter in question is controversial and authority is only cited on one side of the argument
The authority has a great deal at stake in the argument and no independent evidence is given

Question 12

Attacking the Person

Answer 12

1. the reasoner attacks the person who puts forward a certain position rather than the person’s reasons for holding that position, and
2. there are independent means of assessing the person’s reasons, unless
3. the attack is on grounds that are irrelevant to the point in question, such as the ethnic background, class background, or gender of the person giving the argument, in which case the attack constitutes a fallacy even if no independent evidence is available.

Question 13

Which fallacies fall under the persuasion of distraction?

Answer 13

False dilemma, slippery slope, and straw man.

Question 14

Which fallacies fall under the persuasion of resemblance?

Answer 14

Affirming the consequent, denying the antecedent, equivocation, and begging the question

Question 15

Which fallacies fall under the persuasion of emotion?

Answer 15

Appeal to force, appeal to pity, and prejudicial language

Question 16

What fallacies fall under the persuasion of emotion and resemblance combined?

Answer 16

Appeal to authority, attacking the person

Question 17

Review all of the fallacies on p. 171-172 of Critical Thinking textbook