Week 8 Lecture: Argumentative Fallacies

Question 1

What are Aristotle’s three forms of rhetorical proof?

Define each

Answer 1

Ethos- the moral or perceived character of the speaker
Pathos- Emotional appeal to the audience
Logos- Appealing to the logic of audience

Question 2

Define inductive reasoning

Answer 2

Drawing a conclusion based specific (sometimes limited) amount of evidence.

Question 3

Define deductive reasoning

Answer 3

Beginning with a general argument and applying it to specific cases, incidents, and locations.

Question 4

Define syllogisms

Answer 4

Three line arguments based on a major and minor premise. Major premise to minor premise to a conclusion.

Question 5

Define bandwagon fallacy

Answer 5

Assuming something is true because it is popular.

Question 6

Define reduction to absurdity

Answer 6

Pushing an argument beyond its logical limits using absurd parallels.

Question 7

Define the red herring fallacy

Answer 7

Using irrelevant information to divert people from the original argument.

Question 8

Define ad hominem fallacy

Answer 8

Attacking the person instead of the argument they are making.

Question 9

Define the either/or fallacy

Answer 9

Presenting only two options without presenting an alternative.

Question 10

Define the appeal to tradition

Answer 10

The assertion that because we have always done things a certain way, we should continue in that way.

Question 11

Define the slippery slope fallacy

Answer 11

Arguing that one event will lead to another and another without showing proof that the two events are causally related.