WEEK 10 - Fallacies Flashcards
what does inconsistency mean (in regards to fallacies) ?
fallacies of inconsistency are cases where something inconsistent, self-contradictory or self-defeating is presented
what are fallacies ?
a mistaken belief, especially one based on unsound argument
what are biases ?
are persistent and widespread psychological tendencies that can be detrimental to objectivity and rationality
why do we study fallacies and biases ?
- Avoid falling prey to them
- Identify and explain other people’s mistakes
- Appreciate the value of rigorous and formal reasoning and know when to use it
what is Ad Hominem ?
arguing against an opponent’s claim or argument by attacking the opponent rather than the argument
what is ad ignorantiam (appeal to ignorance) ?
claiming that something is true because it hasn’t been proven false (or that something is false because it hasn’t been proven true)
what is ad misericordiam (appeal to pity) ?
trying to evoke pity to argue for a conclusion
what is ad populum (appeal to popularity) ?
arguing that a claim is true because it is popular
what is affirming the consequent ?
arguing as follows: If P, then Q. Q. Therefore, P.
what is denying the antecedent ?
arguing as follows: If P, then Q. Not-P. Therefore, not-Q.
what is begging the question ?
making an argument with premises that presuppose its conclusion
what is loaded question ?
posing a question that contains an unfair or unwarranted assumption
what is composition?
assuming that a whole has the same properties as its parts
what is division ?
assuming that the parts of a whole have the same properties as the whole
what is equivocation ?
making an argument in which a key term switches meaning
what is false dilemma ?
presenting a limited source of alternatives when there are others that should be considered
what is gambler’s fallacy ?
concluding that an event is more or less likely because of independent events
what is genetic fallacy ?
judging that something is likely to have some property because it came from something else that has the property
what is non sequitur ?
making an argument whose conclusion does not follow from or receive support from its premises
what is post hoc, ergo propter hoc ?
inferring that X is the cause of Y because Y occurred after X
what is straw man ?
misrepresenting a claim or argument in order to make it easier to argue against
what is suppressed evidence ?
presenting only confirming evidence when there is also disconfirming evidence
what is the naturalistic fallacy ?
inferring that something should be a certain way because it is that way
arguing against an opponent’s claim or argument by attacking the opponent rather than the argument
is the definition for what ?
Ad Hominem
claiming that something is true because it hasn’t been proven false (or that something is false because it hasn’t been proven true)
is the definition for what ?
Ad Ignorantiam (appeal to ignorance)
trying to evoke pity to argue for a conclusion
is the definition for what ?
Ad Misericordiam (appeal to pity)
arguing that a claim is true because it is popular
is the definition for what ?
Ad Populum (appeal to popularity)
arguing as follows: If P, then Q. Q. Therefore, P.
is the definition for what ?
Affirming the consequent
arguing as follows: If P, then Q. Not-P. Therefore, not-Q.
is the definition for what ?
Denying the antecedent
making an argument with premises that presuppose its conclusion
is the definition for what ?
Begging the question
posing a question that contains an unfair or unwarranted assumption
is the definition for what ?
Loaded Question
assuming that a whole has the same properties as its parts
is the definition for what ?
Composition
assuming that the parts of a whole have the same properties as the whole
is the definition for what ?
Division
making an argument in which a key term switches meaning
is the definition for what ?
Equivocation
presenting a limited source of alternatives when there are others that should be considered
is the definition for what ?
False Dilemma
concluding that an event is more or less likely because of independent events
is the definition for what ?
Gambler’s Fallacy
judging that something is likely to have some property because it came from something else that has the property
is the definition for what ?
Genetic Fallacy
making an argument whose conclusion does not follow from or receive support from its premises
is the definition for what ?
Non Sequitur
inferring that X is the cause of Y because Y occurred after X
is the definition for what ?
Post hoc, ergo propter hoc
misrepresenting a claim or argument in order to make it easier to argue against
is the definition for what ?
Straw Man
presenting only confirming evidence when there is also disconfirming evidence
is the definition for what ?
Suppressed evidence
inferring that something should be a certain way because it is that way
is the definition for what ?
