What's the flaw? Identifying flaws from examples.

Question 1

Look at the example - what’s the fallacy?

There is no way she will finish the race. She’s overweight.

Answer 1

Conflation

Question 2

Look at the example - what’s the fallacy?

He went to the same college as Bill Gates. He must be famous too.

Answer 2

Non-sequitur

Question 3

Look at the example - what’s the fallacy?

After I took the medicine, I got better. Therefore, the medicine made me feel better.

Answer 3

Post-hoc fallacy

Question 4

Look at the example - what’s the fallacy?

John is taller than Chad. Chad is taller than John.

Answer 4

Inconsistency

Question 5

Look at the example - what’s the fallacy?

Women should be able to choose to terminate a pregnancy so abortion should be legal.

Answer 5

Circular argument

Question 6

Look at the example - what’s the fallacy?

You should buy locally. That’s what we have always done.

Answer 6

Appeal to tradition

Question 7

Look at the example - what’s the fallacy?

It should be okay to destroy property when you are angry because angry people destroy things.

Answer 7

Circular argument

Question 8

Look at the example - what’s the fallacy?

Doctors are selfish and just focussed on money. Don’t listen to them.

Answer 8

Ad hominem attack

Question 9

Look at the example - what’s the fallacy?

Making people register their own guns is like the Nazis making the Jews register with their government. This policy is crazy.

Answer 9

Flawed analogy

Question 10

Look at the example - what’s the fallacy?

A new car may be expensive, but do you want me to drive around in this junk pile for the rest of my life ?

Answer 10

Restricting the options

Question 11

Look at the example - what’s the fallacy?

“You shouldn’t be eating that…It has been scientifically proven that eating burgers is no good for your health.”

“Why not? You eat burgers all the time.”

Answer 11

Tu quoque

Question 12

Look at the example - what’s the fallacy?

Only 50 000 people watched the game so clearly football is losing its popularity.

Answer 12

Limited or weak examples

Question 13

Look at the example - what’s the fallacy?

Let’s watch TV. I hate TV . I am going to enjoy myself.

Answer 13

Inconsistency

Question 14

Look at the example - what’s the fallacy?

The attack on Mr Perez was definitely planned.

Answer 14

Over-drawn conclusion

Question 15

Look at the example - what’s the fallacy?

Don’t listen to that teacher. He’s a hypocrite.

Answer 15

Ad hominem attack

Question 16

Look at the example - what’s the fallacy?

People love the beach. I think I’ll put sand floors in my house.

Answer 16

Non-sequitur

Question 17

Look at the example - what’s the fallacy?

Dogs are smarter than cats.

Answer 17

Generalisation

Question 18

Look at the example - what’s the fallacy?

Church should begin at 11 am because that’s the time that we have always begun the church service.

Answer 18

Appeal to tradition

Question 19

Look at the example - what’s the fallacy?

It rained a minute after I typed this example, therefore typing this example caused the rain.

Answer 19

Post-hoc fallacy

Question 20

Look at the example - what’s the fallacy?

I hate layabouts. They just waste time. They spend most of their time doing nothing useful. They should be more like me and spend a lot of time practising their online gaming skills.

Answer 20

Inconsistency

Question 21

Look at the example - what’s the fallacy?

Only a mentally ill person would kill someone, so anyone who kills someone is automatically mentally ill.

Answer 21

Circular argument

Question 22

Look at the example - what’s the fallacy?

Poor people are lazy

Answer 22

Generalisation

Question 23

Look at the example - what’s the fallacy?

Either you’re with me or against me.

Answer 23

Restricting the options

Question 24

Look at the example - what’s the fallacy?

The attack on Mr Perez was definitely planned.

Answer 24

Overdrawn conclusion

Question 25

Look at the example - what’s the fallacy?

He doesn’t care about the environment. I saw him using a plastic spoon.

Answer 25

Limited or weak examples

Question 26

Look at the example - what’s the fallacy?

You are a great student. You are always first to class.

Answer 26

Limited or weak examples

Question 27

Look at the example - what’s the fallacy?

“Why should I give to charity? You don’t.”

Answer 27

Tu Quoque

Question 28

Look at the example - what’s the fallacy?

”You should stop smoking.It’s harmful to your health.”

“Why should I listen to you?You started smoking when you were 16!”

Answer 28

Tu quoque

Question 29

Look at the example - what’s the fallacy?

There is no doubt Mr Fox burnt the hall down.

Answer 29

Overdrawn conclusion

Question 30

Look at the example - what’s the fallacy?

We have only two choices: to build more nuclear power plants or to be completely dependant on foreign oil.

Answer 30

Restricting the options

Question 31

Look at the example - what’s the fallacy?

Either you’re with me or against me.

Answer 31

Restricting the options

Question 32

Look at the example - what’s the fallacy?

He obviously stole my money

Answer 32

Overdrawn conclusion

Question 33

Look at the example - what’s the fallacy?

Everyone who drank water died the next day. So, drinking the water killed them.

Answer 33

Post-hoc fallacy

Question 34

Look at the example - what’s the fallacy?

Students should be allowed to look at their textbooks during examinations. After all, surgeons have X-rays to guide them during an operation, lawyers have briefs to guide them during a trial, carpenters have blueprints to guide them when they are building a house. Why, then, shouldn’t students be allowed to look at their textbooks during an examination?

Answer 34

Flawed analogy

Question 35

Look at the example - what’s the fallacy?

Homework at MD is always easy.

Answer 35

Generalisation

Question 36

Look at the example - what’s the fallacy?

Clubbing seals in Northern Europe and Canada is acceptable because hunters have done so for thousands of years.

Answer 36

Appeal to tradition

Question 37

Look at the example - what’s the fallacy?

It’s time to take my car in for service. I guess I need a haircut.

Answer 37

Non-sequitur