- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“People in Hegins, Pennsylvania, hold an annual pigeon shoot in order to control the pigeon population and to raise money for the town. This year, the pigeon shoot was disrupted by animal rights activists who tried to release the pigeons from their cages. I can’t help but think these animal rights activists are the same people who believe in controlling the human population through the use of abortion. Yet, they recoil at a similar means of controlling pigeons. What rank hypocrisy.”
—Rush Limbaugh
Ad hominem.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“The San Jose Mercury News made some explosive and unsubstantiated charges in articles earlier this year suggesting the Central Intelligence Agency helped start the crack epidemic in the United States. The CIA has often behaved scandalously over the years, but no one, including the Mercury News, has produced credible evidence the CIA organized or took part in drug dealing by the Contras or that the rebels flooded Los Angeles with drugs to finance their war against the Sandinistas.”
—New York Times
This may look like a case of misplaced burden of proof fallacious reasoning: There has been no evidence presented that the CIA did help start the crack epidemic, therefore it is safe to conclude that it did not help start it. But there is no such fallacious reasoning going on, because in fact the burden of proof lies on the Mercury News in the first place. The affirmative side always gets the burden of proof in cases like this.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“You can’t say that he is uneducated. At what point does someone become educated?”
Line-drawing fallacy.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“It really gripes me to see Bill Clinton talking about how cigarette smoking is a big contributor to public health costs. You want to know how much you can trust him on that subject? Well, even he himself admits to smoking cigars!”
Ad hominem (inconsistency).
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“The administration’s proposal to declare hundreds of thousands of acres of federal land as ‘roadless areas’ is a huge mistake, and I’m against it. The whole point of the proposal—and it will succeed if the President gets his way—is to lock the American people out of those areas.”
Straw man.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“I don’t believe we ought to believe the so-called ‘admissions’ of the Liggett and Myers Company. I think the only reason they’re now agreeing with tobacco critics about the addictive powers of nicotine and the nicotine-level manipulation by the company is to get themselves off the hook and avoid bigger trouble, even if it means getting the other tobacco companies into bigger trouble.”
Ad hominem (circumstantial).
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“Of course the Task Force on Crime is going to conclude that crime is on the way up. If they conclude it’s on the way down, they’d have to disband the task force, wouldn’t they?”
Ad hominem (circumstantial). Although, since it’s an entity, genetic fallacy works.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“The police asked the neighbors on both sides of the Owens’s home whether they’d ever seen either of them do any drugs. They all agreed they hadn’t, so it’s a pretty safe bet they aren’t really drug users.”
Misplaced burden of proof.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
When several people in Harvey’s department get new computers, he is annoyed because he is not among them. “I’ll tell you what,” Harvey says to his wife, “if they want to rip me off by not getting a new computer for me, I’ll just rip them off for extra office supplies. They’ve got a lot of stuff at work we could use around here, and they’ll have no way of knowing that it’s gone. Turnabout’s fair play.”
Two wrongs make a right.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“Look, the governor’s office is supposed to list chemicals that are suspected to be poisonous, but let’s not put them on the list officially until we know for sure that they’re harmful. Otherwise, we just cause a lot of unnecessary trouble for the people who make and use the chemicals.”
Misplaced burden of proof (special circumstances—high stakes).
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Disgruntled faculty member to a colleague: “It is clear to me what I’m up against with that class. Their idea of a successful course is one in which they get a passing grade by putting in the absolutely minimal amount of time and effort. If they can get the grade without learning anything, so much the better.”
Straw man.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“Richard Nixon once said, ‘Tip O’Neill’s the most ruthless speaker in history.’ Being called ‘ruthless’ by Nixon is like Ross Perot criticizing your haircut.”
—Sandy Grady, Knight-Ridder Newspapers
Ad hominem (inconsistency), accomplished by a pretty ruthless persuasive comparison!
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“When [Nidal] Ayyad [convicted of conspiring to blow up the World Trade Center in 1993] complained that ‘human rights advocates’ had not monitored his treatment during months of detention, [U.S. District Judge Kevin T.] Duffy interjected: ‘Did human rights organizations monitor the people whom you killed?’”
—Robert L. Jackson, in the Los Angeles Times
Duffy commits an ad hominem.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
You saw what the former governor of Illinois did: He declared a moratorium on executions in the state. It was a good thing, too, because it turns out that a large number of the inmates on death row had to be turned loose because DNA evidence proved them innocent beyond a shadow of a doubt. It’s about time we got serious about the fact that we’ve been convicting innocent people and sentencing them to death.
No fallacy.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
No, I do NOT believe that a murderer ought to be allowed to live. No way! Murderers have forfeited the right to live because anyone who murders another person has lost that right.
Begging the question.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
No, I do NOT believe that a murderer has a right to live, and here’s why: The criminal justice system in this country has gotten completely out of control, what with rapists, murderers, you name it—all getting off scot-free. It’s got to change!
Irrelevant conclusion.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
No, I don’t believe we ought to reinstate the death penalty in this state. Doing it isn’t going to prevent all crime, and you know it.
Perfectionist fallacy.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
You show me when a fetus wasn’t a person, just show me! Tell me exactly when it is. When the baby is born? Well, why not just a day before that? Or the day before that? Or the day before that? Where you gonna draw the line? You gotta say life begins with conception.
Line-drawing fallacy.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
You show me when an embryo becomes a human person, just show me! Tell me exactly when it is. When it’s just an egg, the size of a pin head? When it divides once? Twice? Three times? When? Where you gonna draw the line? An embryo is not a person, and that’s that.
Line-drawing fallacy.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
All this talk about secondhand smoke causing cancer, I just don’t get it. How does it happen? WHEN does it happen? The first time you take a breath in a smoky room? The second time? The third? You can never pin it down exactly.
Line-drawing fallacy (assuming the conclusion is that indirect smoking doesn’t cause cancer).
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Those four officers who killed the innocent man in New York by mistake should be found not guilty of any crime. None of them had ever been in any kind of trouble before, and, tragically, this kind of thing is just going to happen when we have aggressive police work.
Irrelevant conclusion; in fact, two irrelevant conclusions.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Gays in the military? Either let ’em in, or keep out all minorities; take your choice. I’m for letting them in. The alternative is ridiculous.
False dilemma.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Gays in the military? No way. Clinton promoted the idea just to get the homosexual vote.
Irrelevant conclusion.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Gays in the military? Yes. Maybe you favor excluding everyone except for white Anglo-Saxon males with adolescent personalities, but not me.
Straw man.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
From a prosecutor’s closing statement at a trial: “In conclusion, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, there can be absolutely no doubt that this defendant committed these terrible murders. Look at the mother of the victim, sitting over there, and the father—their lives are forever destroyed by this evil deed. Never again will they know the peace and happiness that was their due. Put yourselves in their shoes, and you will know whether or not this man is guilty.”
Irrelevant conclusion.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“The second group that has latched on to the environmentalist movement… wants to preserve the earth at all costs, even if it means that much of the Third World will be forever condemned to poverty. Rather than elevate the Third World, they want to move us closer to Third World conditions. That’s somehow cleaner, purer. It’s the way things were before Western white people came along and terrorized the earth by inventing things. They want to roll us back, maybe not to the Stone Age, but at least to the horse and-buggy era.”
—Rush Limbaugh
Straw man/ad hominem (depending on what you focus on).
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Was the president guilty of sexual harassment as the Republicans said? Hey, give me a break! What’s important is jobs, health care, and welfare reform.
Irrelevant conclusion.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Who cares if the president was guilty of sexual harassment? He got some progress made in terms of jobs, health care, and welfare reform. Those are the important issues!
This hardly convinces that one ought not care about the sexual harassment issue, of course, but it isn’t fallacious.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Of course that can’t be a legitimate proposal. They’re just trying to get the city council to pass a regulation that will stir up some business for them.
Ad hominem (circumstantial, presumably).
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Letter to the editor: “In rejoinder to your July 21 editorial, I certainly don’t see how you can criticize the striking Springfield Unified School District teachers who carried their own signs. Let us not forget that you endorsed and supported city council members Holt and Donazetti, who not only paraded up and down Main Street with their own placards, but also got young children out of school to parade with them.”
—North State Record
Ad hominem (inconsistency).
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
The next speaker is going to speak in favor of the idea. But she works for the gun lobby. Don’t even bother listening to what she says.
Poisoning the well.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Preferential treatment in hiring is something we must support; after all, can you think of a reason why we shouldn’t?
Misplaced burden of proof.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
No, I don’t believe that Uncle Bob is really gone forever. He was like a father to me, and I believe that someday, somehow or other, we’ll see one another again; I don’t think I could go on if I didn’t believe that.
Wishful thinking.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
You know very well I don’t care what Mason says about investments or, for that matter, anything else.
That guy is the most money-grubbing creep I’ve ever run into; all he ever cares about is where his next dollar is coming from. He can take his opinions and stick ‘em in his ear.
Ad hominem (personal attack).
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Listen, friends, it’s our money the board of supervisors wants to spend putting sewers and other improvements out there in that Antelope Creek development. And you know who’s going to profit from it the most? The developers, who don’t even live around here. I tell you, we have sat back and done nothing long enough! It’s high time we told these out-of-town interlopers or antelopers or whatever they are to go mess with somebody else’s town. I won’t stand for it any more!
Argument from outrage. (There is a relevant appeal here, but the speaker is clearly trying to evoke outrage from his audience as well.)
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“It’s obvious that God created the universe. Can you prove that he didn’t?”
Misplacing the burden of proof.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
I know it was not very nice to overcharge them like that for the room, but all’s fair in love, war, and business, my dear. Besides, if the situation were reversed and we were desperate for lodging, they would have bled us for all we’re worth.
Two wrongs make a right.
- Identify any fallacies in the following two passages. Why are they different?
Letter to the editor: “Your food section frequently features recipes with veal, and you say veal is a wholesome, nutritious dish. I disagree. Do you know how veal comes to be on your plate? At birth a newborn calf is separated from its mother, placed in a dark enclosure, and chained by its neck so that it cannot move freely. This limits muscular development so that the animal is tender. It is kept in the dark pen until the day it is cruelly slaughtered.”
—Cascade News
Argument from pity.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Overheard: “When it comes to the issue of growth in this town, you’re either part of the solution, or you’re part of the problem.”
False dilemma.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
This business of American car manufacturers having joint ventures with foreign car makers really stinks. Think of the consequences of not being able to buy American-made cars. No jobs for American car workers, no big cars, no ready supply of parts, no consumption of American steel. I think we should prohibit joint ventures.
Straw man.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
In spite of its hypocritical announcement that North Korea has ceased nuclear testing, it is safe to assume that the North Koreans have done no such thing, for at present we have no means of verifying their so-called moratorium.
Misplaced burden of proof.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Clearly, Mexico desperately needs financial help in handling its $96 billion foreign debt, since without any aid Mexico cannot possibly reduce that enormous sum, and it is urgent that it be reduced.
Begging the question.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
This river has been changing its course every couple of years for the past few thousand years. Now they’ve decided that the banks need to be stabilized. Who does the Army Corps of Engineers think it is to come in here and decide they know something Mother Nature doesn’t?
This kind of fallacy is of the “if it’s been going on like this for a long time, then this is the way it should continue” variety, which is close to our “argument from tradition,” but “tradition” doesn’t seem to apply comfortably when it’s nature and not people that is responsible for the situation. In any case, sometimes the mere fact that something has happened in a certain way can provide reasons for leaving well enough alone, but the mere fact that this is the way it has happened is not itself such a reason.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Ad for a store that sells pianos: “Pianos are our only business. You’ll get the best deal at the piano experts.”
Irrelevant conclusion. (That they sell nothing but pianos is irrelevant to how much they sell them for.)
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“Of course God created the universe. How do I know? Because he is the Creator.”
Begging the question.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Frankly, I don’t think you would be satisfied with anything less than our Model 24, which allows for more expansion than any other personal computer in its class. The way you catch on to things—something I can tell just from the questions you’ve asked here in the store—you’re not going to be happy with a machine whose limits you’ll soon reach.
Apple polishing.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Are you telling me that you’re twenty-one years old and still a virgin? I’d keep quiet about that if I were you—you’d be the laughingstock of the dorm if that were widely known.
Peer pressure.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“I certainly don’t think much of the totalitarian form of government. A so-called free election with only one candidate is not free at all.”
“Oh, I don’t know. I don’t think it’s all that bad.”
“Why not?”
“Just look at our elections. Sure, we have more than one person running, but the candidates are all alike. They might just as well be one person, for all the difference there is among them.”
Straw man.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“I say let’s splurge and buy seats on the fifty-yard line. I know a place we can get them for twenty-five dollars apiece.”
“Good grief! Maybe you want to spend every last cent we make on a football game, but not me. Are you nuts?”
Straw man.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Well! Finally, after all these years, the telephone company makes an error on my bill in my favor! And I’m surely not going to point it out to them. They’ve been gouging me since telephones first came into existence.
Two wrongs make a right.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Why do I spend so much on clothes? Well, it’s either that or look like a bum, and I know which of those I prefer.
False dilemma.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
When he was twelve, Walter Polovchak and his family were permitted to emigrate from the Soviet Union to the United States. Walter’s father, however, eventually decided to return to Russia and was pressured by the Soviet Embassy to take Walter with him. The American Civil Liberties Union sided with Walter’s father, rather than with Walter, who wished to remain in Chicago. When the case reached the courts, the legal arguments of the ACLU were criticized by some editorial writers on the grounds that in most other instances involving the rights of children, the ACLU had always sided with the child. Commented one law professor: “The ACLU’s actions regarding Walter can be understood only in terms of ‘an unwillingness to criticize communism.’”
Ad hominem (inconsistency).
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
I don’t think postmodern expressionism is decent art. It’s another style spawned by the East Coast art establishment, and, frankly, I’m tired of that group’s dictating to the rest of the art world.
Genetic fallacy.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Getting on Senator Davis’s case about the propriety of some of his financial dealings strikes me as just plain carping. Davis made a considerable economic sacrifice when he left private industry and entered politics; the people of this district are lucky to have him there.
Irrelevant conclusion with an appeal to pity.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Overheard: “I don’t know why Barbara won’t go out with me. She must think I’m too intense for her.”
False dilemma.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“Doesn’t the fact that very few first-rank economists accept Marxist economic ideas suggest to you that there may be something wrong with those ideas?”
“Not at all. Those economists are all tools of the ruling capitalist parties. I dismiss their views out of hand.”
Ad hominem (personal attack/circumstantial).
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
I just learned why all those theories about nonhumans building the Great Pyramids and the Easter Island statues and so on are full of baloney. The guy who wrote about them was once a hotel manager somewhere in Switzerland, and he was once convicted of embezzlement. No wonder those theories smelled fishy!
Ad hominem (personal attack).
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Yeah, sure the Los Angeles district attorney believes that O. J. Simpson got a fair trial. But before you sign on to something like that, you might notice that O. J. is a black man and that the Los Angeles district attorney is a white man. That tells you all you need to know about his opinion of fair trials.
Ad hominem (circumstantial).
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
From a defense attorney’s closing remarks at a trial: “This young man isn’t guilty of a crime. No, ladies and gentlemen, it’s society that’s guilty of a crime, a crime against the very person on trial here. The society that wants to send him to prison for half his life is the same society that produced the rotten neighborhood in which he was born and grew up, that saw to it that he got a fifth-rate education, that gave him pimps and drug dealers for role models, and that offered him the choice between street crime or jobs nobody else would take. This jury—you—can do something to right the wrong that has been done to this young man….”
Irrelevant conclusion with an appeal to pity. The jury’s job is to determine guilt or innocence; these remarks may, however, be relevant to the kind of sentence that is deserved.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“You cannot support his stand on reforming public education. He sends his own children to private schools!”
Ad hominem.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
I know there are people who think that Sarah is too impetuous and flighty. But these qualities only make her exciting to me and make me love her all the more.
This is really as much a case of self-induced self-deception as it is fallacious reasoning. We suppose wishful thinking is as close as our categories come to it. (Instances of this sort seem almost absurdly silly to most of us most of the time, but we must remember that reasoning about certain subjects becomes much more difficult when romance puts one’s brain chemistry inconveniently, if pleasantly, out of kilter. It is part of the human condition that we are sometimes called on to make crucial decisions at such times.)
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Letter to the editor: “Should people on welfare be allowed to play the lottery? I say no. It’s time we did something about the welfare rip-off in this country. I believe in charity for the poor, but free-loading parasites who are too lazy to get out and do an honest day’s work—I say cut them off at the knees!”
—North State Record
This piece of vitriol is certainly fallacious; it seems to have one foot in straw man and one in argument from indignation, though it doesn’t fit neatly into either category.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Another letter to the editor on the same subject: “It is positively disgraceful that welfare recipients can spend some of their checks on lottery tickets.” If they can afford to spend their monthly allowances on the lottery instead of things that are essential, such as food, shelter, and clothing, then they don’t need public assistance. Why should I, a taxpayer, shell out my money to them for that purpose?
—North State Record
False dilemma, with one horn of the dilemma a straw man.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
It’s clear enough to me that Senator John McCain would have made a great president. Look, it isn’t often that we get a chance to elect a guy who’s a war hero, a prisoner of war in an enemy prison camp, and we ought to have done it when we had the chance.
Reference to the prisoner-of-war experience remains an irrelevant conclusion until it’s at least indicated how it is relevant to performance as president.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
I know it probably puts me in the unfashionable minority these days, but I really don’t think much of Hank Williams’s music. Ever since I learned that he drank a lot and took drugs, I’ve felt that way.
While this may be ad hominem of the personal attack sort, it may also be a psychological explanation about somebody’s reaction to Hank Williams and his music. It becomes more clearly the former if the person goes on to claim that the music in question is bad because of its creator’s personal habits.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
In response to the woman who felt that Chicago Honeybear cheerleaders were being exploited by men who viewed the Honeybears as sex objects, Chicago Tribune columnist Mike Royko devoted a column to the subject, suggesting that such women are hypocrites. The most sexually motivated of all sports fans, he said, are females, who gather in front of the TV screen solely to gawk at the muscular thighs and lean hips of the “hunks.”
Ad hominem (inconsistency).
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“Because of [Abraham] Lincoln’s policies the cemeteries of the nation were sown with 600,000 premature bodies, long turned to dust now, but in their time just as open to the promise of life as any young draft dodger of the 1960s.”
—From Tom Landess, “The Dark Side of Abraham Lincoln,” The Southern Partisan
The reference to draft dodgers of the 1960s is an argument from outrage-an appeal to anger or indignation.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Revenge of the Nerds was really a funny movie. I know because I was a nerd myself, and that’s really the way it was!
Plain vanilla fallacious reasoning of no particular category. There may be two independent reasons here for seeing the movie, but neither of them supports the other. (Wonder what he means “was” a nerd?)
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
You can’t trust the arguments you find in that magazine. It’s well known as a right-wing apologist for the wealthy.
Genetic fallacy. As noted in the text, arguments stand on their own feet; their origins are not important.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“It says here that smoke from wood-burning stoves, no matter how airtight they’re supposed to be, gets into your house and is a health hazard.”
“No way. We just spent close to a thousand dollars on this new stove; what you’re reading can’t be true.”
Wishful thinking.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
It isn’t so important how they’re made or how long they last or how much they cost. These are the best jeans because they’re incredibly popular right now. Sometimes I think you just don’t understand style.
Peer pressure, if the issue is whether the jeans are the best. There is also a danger of begging the question here(the question of what criteria should be used to determine the best jeans). If the issue is simply what jeans should you wear to be like everybody else, then of course there’s no fallacy at all—and no real need for the remark in the first place. And it may be that, as the speaker says, your authors just don’t understand style.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
You shouldn’t wear anything made of white harp seal fur. Do you know how they get that fur? Baby harp seals, which are among the sweetest-looking creatures on earth, are clubbed to death right in front of their mothers when they are just days or weeks old.
Appeal to pity.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Don’t give me reasons where feelings are concerned; I can’t be argued out of my feelings.
This interesting remark is more complex than it looks. It’s probably true that a person—at least sometimes—can’t do much about his or her feelings. But this issue is different from the issues of whether a person should act on those feelings and whether the feelings themselves are proper, appropriate, based on fact, and so on. That a person has certain feelings, and may be stuck with them, is irrelevant to the other two questions.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
News report: The city council’s internal affairs committee voted to allow public access to the city’s five creeks. But Councilwoman Shelly Harvard voiced strong opposition to the public access requirement. “Why do we want to allow access to the creek?” she asked. “Are we going to turn this into a town where anyone can walk across a person’s lawn?”
Straw man.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
In a letter to the editor of a newspaper, a certified nutritionist criticized an editorial that had appeared earlier in the paper advocating a ban on raw milk. He wrote, “You call for an ‘outright ban on commercial sales’ of raw milk. Yet, by your own figures, you relate about 123 California cases of Salmonella dublin [food poisoning], which represents a miniscule danger compared to the lives lost by smoking cigarettes.”
—Sacramento Bee
Ad hominem.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Cheryl is deciding which of the girls who are rushing her sorority she wants most to join. Pearl and Maria are trying to convince Cheryl that Debra is the best of the rushees and that Cheryl should vote for Debra when the time comes.
“Debra has a wonderful personality, and she’ll fit right in,” Pearl says. “All the other sisters are going to vote for her.”
“And she’ll be really hurt if you don’t support her,” Maria points out. “She thinks you like her a lot.”
“Besides,” Pearl says, “she and I are very close. She’s just about the best friend I ever had.”
Argument from pity and apple polishing.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Did Amundsen beat Scott to the South Pole? Hardly, sir! ’Twould be disastrous indeed for the Empire if we allowed ourselves to believe Norwegians with dogs could ever best red-blooded English males!
Wishful thinking.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“To the people who brought you ‘The Great American Smokeout,’ we make The Great American Challenge. We challenge the American Cancer Society to clean up the air in its ‘smoke free’ offices. We are willing to bet there isn’t much cigarette smoking at American Cancer Society offices. But, according to a recent study from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), cigarette smoke also wasn’t the problem in 98 percent of 203 buildings reported to have indoor air problems…. Indoor air inspections resulting from worker complaints typically find viruses, fungal spores, bacteria, gases, closed fresh air ducts, and ventilation systems in need of maintenance.”
—Full-page ad in USA Today, sponsored by the Tobacco Institute
A real, literal smokescreen! The Tobacco Institute is playing off reports of dangerous office environments, but the ad is meant to divert attention away from the even greater dangers of cigarette smoking. The ad may also hint that those who feel ill at the office should not blame the smoker; but the “Smokeout” was directed to actual smokers.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“Sure, driving after you’ve been drinking can get you into trouble with the law, but if you’re careful and stay in control I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it. What makes something like that wrong is endangering others; so as long as you haven’t drunk enough to impair your control, you aren’t doing anything wrong.”
This is interesting. Regarding the issue of whether drinking and driving will get you into trouble with the law, the whole thing is irrelevant—an irrelevant conclusion. But stating that driving after drinking moderately is not wrong because it does not endanger others (and perhaps should not be against the law) is an argument. Given that most or at least many people find it difficult to tell when they’ve had too much to drink, it isn’t a very good argument.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Marty: If we keep on the way we are going, we will destroy civilization on this planet.
Tracy: That’s so depressing. I think we need to think well of things.
Wishful thinking.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
I am absolutely sick of hearing about those L.A. police officers who committed all those crimes. It’s time for the press to lay off and give law enforcement officers a break. There are a lot of very good police officers out there, and they aren’t recognized nearly as often as they should be.
Irrelevant conclusion.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“There’s no reason to investigate something that never happened.”
—Bush administration spokesman Marlin Fitzwater, when asked what he thought about an investigation of charges that the 1980 Reagan campaign made a deal with Iran to delay release of American hostages until after that year’s presidential election.
Begging the question.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
[The state of Nevada has a law that allows water that is going unused in one part of the state to be claimed by parties from another part of the state. Because of growth in Las Vegas, the law has caused serious disputes over water.] “Look. We in Las Vegas aren’t trying to take water from anybody else’s bathtub or kitchen faucet. The water we’re talking about out in rural Nevada will either come to us and be put to good use, or it’ll simply go to waste.”
False dilemma and straw man—water that isn’t “put to good use” by a city does not necessarily “go to waste.”
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“A preliminary economic analysis suggests that federal government proposals to protect the northern spotted owl will cost the Pacific Northwest about 40,000 jobs—and the effect on the spotted owl population is pretty much unknown. But, hey, what do the livelihoods of 40,000 human beings matter when the government is responding to pressure groups?”
—Orange County Register
This appeal is to indignation (argument from outrage).
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Overheard somewhere and paraphrased: “The statistics that show you are better off wearing a seatbelt are completely flawed and can safely be ignored. Forcing people to use seatbelts, like making motorcyclists wear helmets, is just one more case of Big Brother infringing on personal liberty.”
Irrelevant conclusion.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
he: Well, things didn’t work out quite the way I wanted, but that’s the way life often is.
she: That’s not my philosophy. Your dreams will come true if you want them to, but you really have to want them to.
Wishful thinking.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
City supervisor: Schools need support, yes, but, unfortunately, to balance the city budget we need to reduce spending by around $13 million. Some of that reduction will have to come from the schools.
City resident: I don’t see why. You supervisors should visit schools and talk to teachers. Teachers already work sixty to seventy hours a week. When other people are home relaxing in front of their TV set, Mr. and Mrs. Teacher are grading tests, attending meetings, or rearranging their classroom. The next time you are out fishing or playing golf, think of teachers at home preparing for next week’s classes. They work very hard for very little money and rarely get any recognition for the job they’ve done.
Irrelevant conclusion. It could also be an argument from pity.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“Re: ‘New York taxes soak the poor.’ The article stated that a family of four with an income of $11,000 pays over 14 percent of its income on state taxes. So what? The only way that could be done is if they spent half their income on high tax items such as liquor and cigarettes and movies. I, for one, won’t shed any tears.”
—From a letter to the editor
Argument from outrage.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
When Lebanon and Syria signed a treaty on May 22, 1991, aimed at ending sixteen years of Lebanese civil war, Israel stated that the treaty was tantamount to annexation of Lebanon. Syrian President Hafez Assad responded, “It seems that the Israelis have found it beneficial to use the treaty to cover up their rejection of peace [i.e., to cover up Israeli opposition to U.N. Security Council resolutions calling for Israel to give up occupied Arab lands]. They want to create a cause to talk about it, thinking they would thus divert the world’s attention from the ongoing efforts for peace in the region.”
Assad’s response is a smokescreen. What’s interesting is that his smokescreen amounts to calling Israel’s statement a smokescreen.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
What do I think about Scientology’s belief in reincarnation? I think Scientology is run by a high school dropout who doesn’t know any science at all—except the science of fleecing people.
Personal attack ad hominem.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
The article “Race and the Death Penalty” is just another liberal diatribe aimed at convincing people that there is racial bias in capital punishment. The whole point of the so-called statistics it mentions is to get people to be against the death penalty.
Genetic fallacy.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Did you ever notice how the people who favor abortion on demand are the same people who are against the death penalty? How inconsistent can you get?
Inconsistency ad hominem.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Speaker: In sum, despite the military’s claims for the accuracy of smart weapons, over 70 percent of allied bombs missed their intended targets.
Person in audience: What’s your documentation? Can you prove that you are right about that?
Speaker: Can you prove I’m wrong?
Misplaced burden of proof.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
I wouldn’t pay too much attention to what you read there. Reader’s Digest is known for its right-wing political bias.
Poisoning the well.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Pop, a new car may be expensive, but do you want me to drive around in this junk pile the rest of my life?
False dilemma, straw man.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
I wouldn’t take a course from anyone in the Poly Sci department, if I were you. They are all anti-U.S., ultraliberal types, at least that’s what I hear.
Poisoning the well.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
You know how some people against gun control say that making guns illegal won’t stop anyone who wants one from getting one? Ever notice how the same people are usually against legalizing drugs because they don’t want drugs made available? Funny how they think that law won’t work for guns but will work for drugs.
Inconsistency ad hominem.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
One person, speaking to her friends before they attend a political fund-raising party: “Now listen, folks, before we go into this party. You should be prepared to hear all kinds of flattery as they butter you up before they try to pick your pockets. Remember, all they’re after is your money.”
Poisoning the well. (Of course, there may be a wee grain of good advice in there, too.)
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Since the University of Virginia was founded by Thomas Jefferson, a slave-owner, we should be very suspicious of the graduates of that university.
Genetic fallacy.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
In a letter to the editor describing those against staying in Iraq: “Liberals would love to think the United States could make Iraq peaceful with the use of party favors and snack packs….”
Straw man.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
In an ad for Michelin tires with a cute baby sitting by its tire: Michelin. Because so much is riding on your tires.
A bit of “argument” from pity and scare tactics.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
I am confident that you will clearly recognize that I’m a superior instructor on your evaluation of me. I’ve long known that you’re one of the most perceptive students I’ve ever had.
Apple polishing.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Sure, I’ve been irritable today, but I actually did a good thing for Zanja when I told him he’s an annoying person who always hangs around us like a leech. It’s not because I’m in a bad mood; I’m actually doing him a kindness.
Irrelevant conclusion.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
You’re worried that the very expensive diamond you want to purchase may not be worth the price, and the salesperson says: “We know diamonds here and we’ve examined this one very carefully. You can rest assured that it’s worth every penny.”
Begging the question.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
You know that hiring me for this job is the right thing to do, Dennis. Just think how horrible you’ll feel if you knew that you threw your best friend back onto unemployment.
Guilt trip.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
She: We’d do well to get a Zenith. Their salesman told me they have the best repair record of any brand on the market.
He: Well, forget that. He sells Zeniths, for crying out loud; of course he’d tell you they have the best record.
Ad hominem, circumstantial.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Overheard: “There’s absolutely no point in asking a conservationist if toxic wastes are contaminating Butte County well water. As a conservationist, of course he’ll say that they are.”
Ad hominem, circumstantial.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
From a letter to the editor: “The secretary of defense claims we cannot cut defense spending by so much as a jot. Right. What the generals want, the generals get. What the secretary is, is just another lawyer. It’s not what’s right that matters, it’s what you can get. No wonder his relations with Congress are so poor.”
Ad hominem, combined personal attack and circumstantial. Irrelevant conclusion.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
In one of his columns, Mike Royko had a word or two to write about Sylvester Stallone. According to Royko, after completing the movie Rambo: First Blood Part II, Stallone explained that it was an attempt to secure some credit for Vietnam veterans. Royko quoted Stallone as saying, “The people who pushed the wrong button all took a powder. The vets got the raw deal and were left holding the bag. What Rambo is saying is that if they could fight again, it would be different.”
Royko went on to observe that during the Vietnam War, when Stallone could have been a “real-life Rambo,” he spent his time first at American College of Switzerland “teaching rich girls how to touch their toes” and then as a drama major at the University of Miami “improving his tan.”
Ad hominem, personal attack and inconsistency.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
From a letter to the editor: The Times editorial headed ‘The Murder of Innocents’ deplored the motive behind the Air India tragedy by posing the following question: ‘What possible reason could there be for killing 329 innocents, so many of them children . . . ?’ The writer then urges Americans never to accept some ‘maniacal logic’ that offers an excuse for such a heinous crime.
“Below this editorial followed a second, which urged the governor to strike from a family-planning bill awaiting his signature a stipulation prohibiting state funding for any family-planning agency that provides abortions, or incentives or referrals to obtain them.”
“What an incongruous position—to condemn the murder of 80 innocent children in a plane over the Atlantic, but to condone the murder of 4,000 children nationwide per day in the womb.”
“Isn’t this the very same ‘maniacal logic’ that permits constant slaughter under the guise of ‘family planning,’ a euphemistic term to obscure another form of ‘murder of the innocents’?”
Ad hominem, inconsistency.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Are you really going to believe her about librarians’ salaries not being excessive? I’ll have you know she herself is a librarian, or don’t you think that matters?
Ad hominem, circumstantial.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Ann Landers did an informal survey on sex. Many people responded, some of them favorably, but a lot unfavorably. In a follow-up column, she wrote, “Comments by Erica Jong, Andrew Greeley, Helen Gurley Brown, Gay Talese, and Gloria Steinem showed insight and understanding. A few so-called sex experts who called the survey ‘dangerous’ demonstrated incredible ignorance and missed the point completely.”
Ad hominem, personal attack. But this looks more than anything like a simple case of saying, “Anybody who disagrees with me is wrong and an ignoramus.”
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
A lot of senators are crabbing about everything the president does these days. But if you look at the party those senators belong to, you’ll notice that nearly all of them are members of the opposition party. So you can safely bet these criticisms are just partisan politics rather than the kind of thing we should take seriously.
Ad hominem, circumstantial.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
The ACLU? Yeah, I know about them, and I don’t like them very much. They’re the ones who furnish free lawyers for criminals.
Begging the question.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Every event has a cause other than itself, since if it didn’t, it would have to have caused itself, which is impossible.
Begging the question.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
He: I believe everybody should be permitted to cheat.
She: That’s absolutely ridiculous.
He: Why do you say that?
She: Well, assume that everyone were permitted to cheat. To say they are permitted to cheat means that it’s all right for them to cheat, right? And if it’s all right for them to cheat, then there’s nothing wrong with cheating. But then, if there’s nothing wrong with what they’re doing, they wouldn’t be cheating. So your suggestion is absurd.
Begging the question.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“Opponents to Proposition 102 say that contact tracing will lead to ‘witch hunts.’ We say it’s time to stop peddling such fear and panic.”
—Rebuttal to argument against Proposition 102, 1988 California Ballot Pamphlet
Begging the question.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Reconstruction of a remark heard at a faculty meeting: “The quality of teaching performance cannot be measured. No matter what administrators at campuses around the country might say, teaching performance is simply not the kind of thing to which you can assign measurable variables and then compare a bunch of numbers at the beginning of a course and again at its end. That isn’t the way it works.”
Begging the question.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
“We beat the prices of our competitors. We would not say this if it weren’t true.”
Begging the question.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
“Of course we should be able to go to the concert. Mom doesn’t want us to have any fun at all! She treats us like babies. I’m fed up.”
Straw man (“…no fun at all”); Appeal to emotion (outrage—”I’m fed up!” Petulance sounds appropriate here too!).
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
“Honey, you are so understanding. Would you do the dishes this once?”
Appeal to emotion (apple polishing).
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
“It is essential that we arrive early. Shake a leg, or we will leave without you.”
Appeal to emotion, scare tactics.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
“Malamutes are difficult to train. Have you ever seen one that isn’t?”
Misplaced burden of proof.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
“Outlawing hate speech—the latest bright idea from so-called progressives.”
Ad hominem, genetic fallacy.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
“Tell me this. If you aren’t losing your hearing, then how come you can’t hear so well. Well?”
Begging the question.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
“C’mon, only conspiracy-theory nuts believe stuff like that.”
Ad hominem, guilt by association.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
“You think drilling is less risky? I doubt it. That’s just oil industry propaganda.”
Ad hominem, genetic fallacy.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
“The new Secretary of Defense says he’ll prosecute the war in the Middle East in accordance with current American policy. But you realize, don’t you, that as soon as he got home from Vietnam he began to criticize American policy there.”
Ad hominem (inconsistency).
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
“Pryor’s diatribe against gun control is flat-out nonsense. He probably doesn’t believe that stuff himself.”
Ad hominem.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
“When Keith installed a new windshield for me he spent the whole time listening to talk radio. If you hire him, don’t pay attention to anything he says.”
Ad hominem, poisoning the well.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
“Gun control is pointless. We can’t stop every lunatic from getting his hand on a gun.”
False dilemma (the perfectionist fallacy).
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
“Jasmine believes dogs think just like people, but just can’t talk. And that’s not her looniest idea about dogs. I wouldn’t take seriously any advice she gave you about your pup’s health.”
Ad hominem, poisoning the well.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
“Buy now while supplies last!”
Scare tactics.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
“The assemblyman came out against the Marijuana Legalization Initiative a couple of years ago. Maybe he’s been reading the polls because now he’s all for it. He doesn’t convince me.”
Ad hominem.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
“After Sara got back from Cuba she raved about the wonderful health care there. Spare me. I know Sarah. She would praise a communist country even if people were dying in the streets.”
Ad hominem.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
“Nobody can prove that demons don’t exist. Therefore, they exist.”
Appeal to ignorance.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
“A trans-American oil pipeline would be great for the economy. People against it just want to make it harder for us to drive big cars. They want to make us drive little tiny electric cars that don’t go over 30 miles per hour and need to be charged up every night. Who wants that!”
Straw man, and irrelevant on other grounds—even if true, the remarks do not relate to how the pipeline would effect the economy.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
“And speaking of flip-flopping, our Secretary of State, Mr. Kerry, fought in the war in Vietnam, then spoke out against it after he got home, and now he expects us to think his foreign policy makes sense?”
Ad hominem.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
“I will reduce your mortgage payments by 25 percent. Take the offer while you can. It is a very good deal. If you don’t, you can expect to hear from my friend, the sheriff.”
Appeal to emotion, scare tactics.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
“Don’t you just love hearing somebody [Michael Bloomberg, mayor of New York City] who violated
New York City’s term limit law to run for mayor a third time lecturing us on portion control? When it came to the portions of terms he could serve, he was insatiable.”
—Rush Limbaugh
Ad hominem.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
“That Ehrman fellow started off as a fairly fundamentalist religious person, but after all that education and study, he finally wound up being an atheist. His opinions about the scriptures are not the ones you want to listen to.”
Ad hominem.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
“Do you think you might learn something about farming by watching the Amish? Come on! Those people are still living in the 19th century, or maybe the 18th.”
Ad hominem.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
DEVELOPER: “They’re telling us to make changes to comply with the new water standards.”
DEVELOPER’S PARTNER: “That’s nuts. We’ve already spent a ton of money on that place.”
Irrelevant conclusion.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
“Either we secure our borders, or illegals will be taking over the country. This, to me, is a no-brainer.”
False dilemma.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
“Prof. Stooler assigned two extra paragraphs to read. Dude thinks we don’t have anything better to do.”
Ad hominem.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
“You hear that idea at Tea Party conventions. I’m surprised you agree with it.”
Ad hominem, guilt by association.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
“Conservatism isn’t dead? Who says?”
Misplaced burden of proof.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
“The world will end on January 1. It has been written. People who don’t believe it will be left behind.”
Appeal to emotion, scare tactics.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
First poll watcher: “The decision in Gore v. Bush in 2000 was that George W. Bush won the election in Florida.”
Second poll watcher: “But the question is whether that was a correct decision, given all the problems of voting in Florida.”
First poll watcher: “Like I said, the decision went for Bush, so that’s your answer.”
Irrelevant conclusion.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
“There can’t be anything worthwhile in this new operating system. Microsoft comes out with a new OS every two years, it seems like.”
Irrelevant conclusion.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
“This offer is good for a short time only!”
Appeal to emotion, scare tactics (You’ll miss out if you don’t act now!).
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
“Requiring restaurants to post calories will never get everyone to stop overeating. What a waste of time.”
The perfectionist fallacy.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
“Forget those polls. They come from CBS.”
Ad hominem, genetic fallacy.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
“Geoff thinks currency not backed by gold or silver is inherently worthless. But that can’t be right. He’s just saying that because he invested everything he owns in gold and silver.”
Ad hominem.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
“Move to Toronto? Why would anyone want to live on the North Pole?”
Straw man.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
“I hear jocks and fraternity types grumbling about the homework, but I expect more from you.”
Appeal to emotion, apple polishing.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
“She is trustworthy; after all, she swears she is, and you can’t doubt that.”
Begging the question.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage taken from the text.
“Women should not be allowed in combat, because it is prohibited by the Defense Department.”
Begging the question.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
“One professor to another: One of my students missed class because of illness. How could anyone possibly think attendance is optional?”
Irrelevant conclusion.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
“You must make your choice. Either this man was and is the son of God; or else a madman and something worse.”
—C.S. Lewis
False dilemma.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
“To me, she doesn’t make any sense. She’s just another airhead trying to impress the guys.”
Ad hominem.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
“The Sims just have to do well in their new business. They’ve put everything they had into it, and they absolutely must succeed or they’ll be ruined. I’m thinking they’ll do great work, and I’m certainly going to throw my business their way.”
Appeal to emotion, wishful thinking, and appeal to pity.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage.
“The secretary insists our missiles can shoot down theirs, but what else could he say? He’s got to put people at ease.”
Ad hominem.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“Obamacare can’t be any good. To apply for benefits you have to fill out a 15-page form!”
Irrelevant conclusion.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“Greyhound reminds you that when you travel by car, you take chances, especially if you are traveling alone. Anything can happen: dangerous thunderstorms [sound effect: thunder], engine trouble [sound of car failing to start], blowouts [tire blowing out, car screeching to a stop]. Next time [upbeat music] don’t take chances. It’s time to go Greyhound and leave the driving to us.”
—Greyhound advertisement
This may look like scare tactics, but the points made are relevant to the claim that alternatives to the automobile may be safer. Of course it doesn’t follow that Greyhound is the best alternative.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“You’re the best wife in the world. Could you cook something special tonight?”
Apple polishing.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
You should give Arthur the job. He just lost his wife last week; he needs this job.
Appeal to pity. Irrelevant conclusion.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
I really want to be the next President of the United States. I know that I will be.
Wishful thinking.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Why should I tell him that his car is parked in a tow-away zone? You think he would do the same for me?
Two wrongs make a right.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
We are the oldest company in the automobile servicing industry. Therefore, we are the best.
Irrelevant conclusion.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Obviously he didn’t cheat on the test. He never cheats.
Begging the question.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Nobody saw her stealing the car. Therefore, she didn’t steal the car.
Appeal to ignorance.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
She is guilty of the crime. Can you prove that she isn’t?
Misplacing the burden of proof.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
I wouldn’t take her speech on freedom and liberty seriously. She restricts her own children from eating outside.
Ad hominem. Poisoning the well.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“Studying economics and finance in college does not make you rich. I don’t see any point studying it at all.”
Perfectionist fallacy.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“He is the best soccer player in the world. He can run faster than anyone else.”
Irrelevant conclusion.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“We either eliminate Social Security or the country will go bankrupt. Therefore, we must eliminate Social Security.”
False dilemma.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“You can’t say exactly when a videogame is too violent; therefore, no videogame is too violent.”
Line-drawing fallacy.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“You really should get a Prudential life insurance policy. What would happen to your spouse and children if you die? Remember, you are their main source of income. Would they be forced to move?”
Scare tactics.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“This new Honda gets better mileage than any other car in its class. After all, Honda has completely redesigned the engine.”
Irrelevant conclusion.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“Don’t believe his arguments about the dangers of smoking tobacco. I saw him smoking just last week.”
Ad hominem.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“Burger King prices are a rip-off! I can get much better food at Subway!”
Irrelevant conclusion.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“Public restrooms are so unhygienic. Can you prove otherwise?”
Misplacing the burden of proof.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“Either go to school today or remain unemployed for the rest of your life!”
Scare tactics. The perfectionist fallacy.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“That’s absurd! Sounds like something a bureaucrat would say!”
Guilt by association.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“Of course, watching television for too long causes brain damage. Can you prove that it doesn’t?”
Misplacing the burden of proof.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“I don’t buy his ideas on climate change. I haven’t seen him drive a hybrid car!”
Ad hominem. Irrelevant conclusion.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“If you don’t support women empowerment, then you are a male chauvinist who hates women!”
False dilemma.
CH07
Test Bank
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
Housing is far too expensive in this country. Why, the median price of a home in most of California is now over $350,000.
If the speaker is generalizing from California to the entire country, then the argument is a hasty generalization; and, if you are aware of typical housing costs in California, you could also call it a biased generalization. But perhaps the speaker only means that when the median price of a home approaches $350,000 in some place—California or wherever—then housing has just gotten too expensive in this country. If the passage is viewed this way, it’s not clear that the speaker is even offering an argument.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
Overheard: “You don’t think this country is in a slump? Get real. George here was laid off before Memorial Day, and Howie’s wife and a whole bunch of other people lost their jobs when the Safeway over on Jeffrey closed down. These are tough times.”
Hasty generalization.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
We’re gonna have trouble with that new paper boy, honey. He’s been late twice already.
We’d call this a hasty generalization, but with just a few more late deliveries, it won’t be.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
Hey, let’s start shopping at Musgrave’s. It’s a whole lot cheaper. I stopped in there yesterday on the way home and found strawberries there for 79¢ a basket and ground beef for $1.29 a pound. And they weren’t even on sale!
Hasty generalization.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
Invest in real estate! Buy a house! It’s the best investment you will ever make. Despite occasional temporary dips, home prices have always gone up. You can’t go wrong if you buy a house.
Despite the “size” of the sample, there are important differences between it and the target: the number of additional homebuyers is declining; consumer debt has risen dramatically; and discretionary income has been shrinking. Can we expect entry-level university students to know such things? Maybe not. But we can expect them to understand the importance of carefully checking out arguments like this before they contract a major debt.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
Remark made while driving on the Pennsylvania Turnpike: “We’ve seen nine cars with license plates from west of the Mississippi today, and six of them have been from Texas. Texans must travel more than other people.”
Hasty generalization.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
I certainly did not enjoy the first meeting of that class. I think I’ll drop it; I don’t want a whole semester of meetings like that.
Whether this is a hasty generalization depends on exactly what the student didn’t like about the first class. There are some things, such as an instructor’s manner of presentation, that a person can reach legitimate conclusions about after only a small sample. Further, if the student is referring to the instructor’s overview of the course, he may have a good inductive argument: “She said she was going to cover such-and-such material; instructors usually cover what they say they’re going to cover; therefore, she will probably cover the material she said she was going to cover. And I have neither need nor inclination to study that material.”
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
First bicycle rider: How come when we coast downhill you always go so much faster than I?
Second bicycle rider: Because I’m heavier. Heavier things fall faster.
Third bicycle rider: Wait a minute. I thought that was what Galileo proved wrong.
Second bicycle rider: C’mon! That’s only common sense. Heavy things are bound to fall faster. Just look at how fast I coast—and I’m the heaviest.
Mixed in with the faulty casual explanation is the reasonable generalization that you always coast faster downhill than I do.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
If you think the people of Phoenix are going to give up their rights to water from the Colorado River to Los Angelenos, you’d better think about it some more. Read the letters to the editors of the Phoenix newspapers, and you’ll see what I mean. People are really hot under the collar about the issue.
Biased generalization.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
A reliable statewide study found that one western town (which we won’t name) had an unusually high rate of death from cancer. The study, done during the 1970s, showed the cancer death rate for white females to be 175.4 per 100,000, compared to 154.9 for the state. One resident dismissed the finding as follows: “Statistics! You can prove anything you want with statistics! There’s no more cancer here than anywhere.”
Hasty generalization: Some statistical conclusions aren’t trustworthy, so none of them are.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
I went into that office supply store on Jackson Avenue the other day, and I can tell you that I’m not ever going back. They’re the rudest people I’ve ever seen in a retail business. The guy who waited on me griped constantly about it being inventory time, and he was of no help at all in finding what I wanted to buy.
Biased and hasty generalization.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
From a letter to the editor: “The news media can never be trusted. Shortly before the Geneva summit, the Washington Post decided that a news scoop concerning a confidential letter from the secretary of defense to the president was more important news than a coordinated posture by our negotiating team.”
Hasty generalization.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
Goldman may have won the Supervisor of the Year award, but that just means they didn’t look very hard for a winner. I know a couple of people who work in Goldman’s division, and they say that he’s a real pain to work for. I’d sooner trust my friends than some awards committee.
A hasty generalization of the anecdotal evidence variety.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
I watched Nova on public television the other night, and it was great! I’m going to be in front of the tube every week for it from now on.
If one episode of Nova was good, that’s not a bad reason for believing that it’s generally pretty good. Still, this generalization may be just a bit hasty.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“Sharon’s father thinks the idea of a space-based laser missile defense is entirely feasible, and he should know—he’s a physicist who specializes in laser technology, and he has a degree in computer science.”
“Yeah, well, he may be right, but he also works for the defense industry. There’s a pot of gold in it for him if people believe that. He’s probably not the most reliable source.”
No fallacy.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
I’ve seen brochures depicting the scenery in the Ozark Mountains, and it’s beautiful. I’m even thinking of retiring to Arkansas, since it’s clearly such a beautiful state.
Biased generalization.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
The photographs from the first roll of that new Kodak film were really good. I’ll tell you, that film is good stuff.
This is okay, since one roll of Kodak film can be expected to be much like every other roll of the same type for the few holdouts still using film.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
Bill bought one of those Burn-Rite wood stoves last year, and it smoked up his house all winter. Those stoves are not worth the high prices we pay for them.
Hasty generalization.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
According to one of the leading consumer magazines, the best-built cars these days are Japanese. Cars built by foreign manufacturers have just outclassed those built in the United States, it appears.
Biased generalization: What holds for Japanese cars may not hold for all foreign-built cars.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“A Prairie Home Companion” must be a pretty popular radio program around here. About half my friends have copies of the book the program’s host recently published.
A hasty, and quite likely biased, generalization. The speaker’s friends may not resemble the general population in their taste in radio programs.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“Hello Mom? Yeah, it’s me…. Fine. Great, in fact. Massachusetts is super—I’ve never had so much fun…. No…. Yes! And listen, I’ve just met the most wonderful guy. And I’m sure he’s rich. You should just see the expensive car he drives….”
Hasty generalization.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“We had the worst inflation of my lifetime in the late ‘70s, then Ronald Reagan got elected and during his term in office it dropped from over thirteen percent to about four percent. Shows you what a smart president can do.”
Post hoc.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“They want to make it illegal for a running back to hit someone with his helmet? Next thing you know they won’t even allow tackling.”
Slippery slope.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“More and more women are determining what everybody watches on TV. Just look at that show on HBO, starring Lena Dunham, Girls, its called. Everybody’s watching that show. Everybody.”
—Rush Limbaugh
Hasty generalization/generalizing from exceptional cases.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“First they bailed out AIG because it was ‘too big to fail.’ Next time it will be the medium-sized banks. Then us taxpayers will foot the bill for every last business failure, and they won’t be able to print enough money to keep up with it all.”
Slippery slope.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“Don’t sweat. They won’t stop you for speeding. The cops have yet to stop me for texting.”
Hasty generalization.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“Fox News is totally biased. If you don’t believe it, try listening to the Sean Hannity program.”
Hasty generalization.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“If the legislature can get away with requiring background checks, it will be encouraged to go forward with universal registration of guns, then to eventual banning of gun ownership. Let’s not start down this path.”
Slippery slope.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“John, my Republican friend, never leaves a tip. Why is it Republicans are so selfish?”
Hasty generalization.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“They won because they wanted it more than we did.”
Untestable explanation.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“Mike blew a tire on the way over here. Make a note never to buy Goodyear tires.”
Generalizing from exceptional cases/hasty generalization.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“After his friends and relatives said a prayer for Pete, his cancer went into remission.”
Post hoc, ergo propter hoc.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“People who attend elite private universities tend to live longer than people who attend state colleges. If we figure out a way to send children of modest means to the elite universities, they would live longer.”
Cum hoc; overlooking the possibility of a common cause.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“Yawns are contagious. Ask anyone.”
Mistaken appeal to popularity.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“Will women like our new menu? Let’s ask one of the female servers. As a woman, she will know.”
Hasty generalization.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“I’m reading right here about this high school teacher in Red Bluff? Caught dealing drugs right there at the school? They will let anyone teach these days.”
Hasty generalization/Generalizing from exceptional cases.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“We can’t close the farmers’ market. It’s a tradition in this town.”
Mistaken appeal to common practice (tradition).
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“I have every right to burn tires in my back yard. It’s a free country.”
Accident.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“Nicotine patches don’t work. They sure didn’t work for me.”
Hasty generalization.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“Look, we make people buy liability car insurance, so there’s no reason to complain about making people buy liability insurance when they buy a gun.”
Weak analogy.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“I got sick shortly after my trip—all because of the recycled air in the airplane.”
Post hoc, overlooking coincidence.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“Evil spirits are making him sick.”
Untestable explanation.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“Her information about deceased people comes from sources in another dimension.”
Untestable explanation.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“Well I’ll be! Look at the great gas mileage we got on this trip! Not a whole lot better than usual, but still nothing to sneeze at. Shows you what a tune-up will do.”
Post hoc, overlooking coincidence or overlooking random variation.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“Hey, it works! After I sprinkled Arm and Hammer around the sink, the ants disappeared.”
Post hoc.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“My cousin has been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from his service in Afghanistan. We’re going to have huge numbers of mentally troubled soldiers coming home from this war.”
Hasty generalization.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“PCs are better than Macs. Macs still command only a fraction of the personal computer market.”
Mistaken appeal to popularity.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“Look at Bill Gates. He didn’t go to college, and he’s a millionaire. College is such a waste of time.”
Hasty generalization/Generalizing from exceptional cases.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“If you don’t think having a good attitude promotes good health, look at how many 100-year olds have a good attitude.”
Cum hoc; overlooking the possibility of a common cause or reversed causation.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“In this country anyone can become a billionaire. Take Mitt Romney, for an example.”
Hasty generalization/generalizing from exceptional cases.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“The first time I played that golf course, I shot an 82. It must have affected my mental state, because I didn’t score that well again for almost a year.”
Untestable explanation; overlooking the possibility of regression.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“Nobody knows more about a person than his mother. So when Ralph’s mother claims he’s innocent, I’m betting he is.”
Mistaken appeal to authority.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“Seals are dying at an unprecedented rate at the very same time ocean temperatures are rising. They are being killed by global warming.”
Cum hoc.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“Jeremy died shortly after the chemotherapy treatments; I’m convinced it was the chemo that killed him.”
Post hoc.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“There’s no unemployment in this country. I had no problem finding a job.”
Argument by anecdote.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“Jesus Christ is widely recognized as the greatest man who ever lived.”
Mistaken appeal to popularity.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“Young people aren’t interested in politics. We have more important things to do. My friends couldn’t care less who is elected president.”
Hasty generalization.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“I recently met a young fellow who went to More Science High who really knew his stuff. He knew a lot more physics than most kids his age. They really do a good job at that school.”
Hasty generalization/Generalizing from exceptional cases.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“This new boss won’t let us work from home. If she gets away with it, pretty soon they’ll be making us spend nights and weekends right here at the office.”
Slippery slope.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“Shoot, millions of people sunbathe. It can’t hurt you.”
Mistaken appeal to common practice.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“Americans generally think teachers should be paid more. This was demonstrated in a large survey done in Boston.”
Generalizing from exceptional cases/Biased sample.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“It was a mistake giving the Oscar to Daniel Day-Lewis. A survey the very next day showed more people thought Ben Affleck deserved it.”
Mistaken appeal to popularity.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“The lights came back on immediately after that huge clap of thunder—how on earth did the thunder make that happen?”
Post hoc.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“Pete went into cardiac arrest while praying, so praying must have caused the attack.”
Post hoc.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“No, we shouldn’t start Daylight Savings Time in February. No state does that.”
Mistaken appeal to common practice.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“American Idol dropped a little in the ratings this week. It must be the new judge.”
Post hoc, overlooking coincidence or random variation.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“This student isn’t good at math. Therefore she won’t be good at writing, either.”
Weak analogy.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“You start talking to these door-to-door missionaries, before you can blink they will be dragging you off to their church.”
Slippery slope.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“Sparky has been much friskier since I’ve started feeding him raw meat. It’s good for him.”
Post hoc.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“Generally speaking, people with college degrees earn more than people who drop out of high school. Therefore you will earn more if you buy one of our degrees. We are offering steep discounts this week.”
Accident.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“He’s a great boxer. He will become an excellent dancer.”
Weak analogy.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“Once we let the federal government regulate mortgage lending practices, where will it stop? The entire free enterprise system—the backbone of American prosperity—will collapse under the weight of government regulation.”
Slippery slope.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“I don’t think the S.E.C. should be able to require corporations to disclose their political donations. I wouldn’t want some federal regulator going through my checkbook. It’s none of their business what people do with their money.”
Weak analogy.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“A lot more people are near-sighted these days. Check out those kids over there on their computers. They all wear glasses.”
Hasty generalization/Generalizing from exceptional cases—possible biased sample.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“My trip to Ixtapa was terrific. I’m sure you’ll have a great time if you go to Acapulco.”
Weak analogy.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“The Constitution doesn’t give you the right to own grenade launchers; therefore it doesn’t give you the right to own assault rifles.”
Weak analogy.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“I see your new car is a Honda SUV. My mom bought a Honda Civic last year, and she gets great gas mileage. You’ll be pleased with the mileage you get with your car.”
Weak analogy.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“What’s all this fuss about people being delayed at airports? I arrived at the airport this morning and fifteen minutes later I had checked my bag, passed through security, and was at my gate. I wasn’t delayed at all.”
Hasty generalization.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“Being overweight can’t be all that bad for you. Eighty percent of the population over 25 is overweight.”
Mistaken appeal to popularity.
- Identify any type of fallacy in the following passage.
From a column by Suzanne Fields, in the Washington Post, after George W. Bush had given a speech at Bob Jones University (well known for its anti-Catholic stance) and been attacked for it by fellow Republican John McCain:
“John McCain’s attacks on George W. as an anti-Catholic bigot are over the line…. The governor of Texas made mistakes at Bob Jones University. He admitted them. He wasted an important opportunity to rebuke
Bob Jones’ anti-Catholicism and its ban on interracial dating…. His performance and prominence there was ill thought-out, but it doesn’t prove bigotry. It was also the height of hypocrisy when Mr. McCain exempted his supporter Rep. Lindsey Graham from similar criticism for his accepting an honorary degree from Bob Jones U., and not uttering a single syllable of criticism.”
Is the last sentence an example of ad hominem fallacy or common practice fallacy in defense of George Bush, or is it merely a request for fair play?
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“My students’ scores have improved dramatically since I started giving tests online, which indicates that students learn more on online courses.”
Cum hoc, ergo propter hoc (or post hoc, ergo propter hoc, depending on how you analyze it).
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“People who play bingo twice a week live on average seven years longer than people who stay at home. Playing bingo can lengthen your life.”
Cum hoc; overlooking coincidence, random variation, or common cause.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“The rates of prostate cancer among first responders to the attacks on the Twin Trade Towers are higher than among onlookers. Something in the dust obviously causes prostate cancer.”
Post hoc, ergo propter hoc.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“Man to his wife: Poopsie, I bought a lot of this soap. Everyone at the Amway party said it works great.”
Mistaken appeal to authority or mistaken appeal to popularity.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“He says health care in England stinks. He should know. He speaks with an English accent.”
Mistaken appeal to authority.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“Smoking behind our back will only lead to a life of crime, Junior.”
Slippery slope.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“Caffeinated coffee is bad for your nervous system. Just ask anybody, including coffee drinkers.”
Mistaken appeal to authority.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“Melinda has two dachshunds who lived to be over 15, so when she recommended a diet for Jobie, my Doberman, I figured she knew what she was talking about.”
Post hoc, ergo propoter hoc and weak analogy.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“Attendance is up today. They must think there is a test.”
Cum hoc, overlooking random variation.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“My kindergarten class seemed unusually antsy today. I wonder if they were all on a sugar high.”
Cum hoc, overlooking random variation.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“Allison Fischer [a world-famous pool player] played snooker before she turned to American style 9-ball. It had to be the snooker that made her such a fine 9-ball player.”
Post hoc, ergo propter hoc.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“What are they are talking about, it rains a lot in Seattle? We went there in October—had nothing but beautiful weather.”
Generalizing from exceptional cases, biased sample.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“A friend of mine became a Christian recently and soon after won a six-figure lottery. God looks after his own.”
Post hoc, ego propter hoc (argument from anecdote-causal variety).
- As Harold is driving down the road from Glenn County to Montclair, he crosses into Salem County and notices that the pavement deteriorates. “I guess they don’t keep up their roads very well in this county,” he says. Which of the following best fits the scenario?
- biased generalization
- B. hasty generalization
- neither biased nor hasty
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- As Harold is driving down the road from Glenn County to Montclair, he crosses into Salem County and notices that the pavement deteriorates. “I guess they don’t keep up their roads very well in this county,” he says. The sample in this passage is
- roads in Glenn County.
- roads in Salem County.
- C. the road he’s driving on now.
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- “They say Japanese carmakers put out the best cars in the world, all things considered. But that can’t be right—the Toyota I bought last year had to be returned to the shop five times!” This is
- a biased generalization.
- B. a hasty generalization.
- neither biased nor hasty.
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- “They say Japanese carmakers put out the best cars in the world, all things considered. But that can’t be right—the Toyota I bought last year had to be returned to the shop five times!” The sample is
- A. my Toyota.
- Japanese cars.
- the best cars in the world.
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- “They say Japanese carmakers put out the best cars in the world, all things considered. But that can’t be right—the Toyota I bought last year had to be returned to the shop five times!” The population is
- my Toyota.
- B. Japanese cars.
- the best cars in the world.
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- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“The problem isn’t really with banning assault weapons; heck, I personally think it’s stupid to want to own an assault weapon. The problem is that, once the government realizes that an assault weapons ban is not resulting in fewer gunshot victims, it will turn to semi-automatic weapons and require registration of them. But, of course, that won’t reduce the number of victims either. We might finally get to a point where there are no more gunshot victims, but it’ll only be after all guns have been banned and the ones out there now have all turned to rust.”
Slippery slope.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
No, I don’t think I believe in “three strikes and you’re out” for convicted felons. Next thing it will be two strikes, then one strike. Then we’ll be sticking people in jail for life for misdemeanors. It’s not good policy.
Slippery slope.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Gays in the military? If we allow that, then next we’ll be letting women into the men’s barracks. And the next thing you know, women, men, gays, everyone—they’ll all be showering together and sleeping in the same bunks. Get real.
Slippery slope.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Gays in the military? Yes. There are no valid grounds for opposing the measure, as can be seen in the fact that policies of nondiscrimination to gays are common practice throughout Western democracies.
Mistaken appeal to common practice.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
George, I speak for the rest of the neighbors on our street. Frankly, your front yard is a mess, and we’d appreciate it if you would do something about it. We put the time and money into making our places look nice, but the effort is largely ruined by one awful looking place right here in the middle of the block. We hope you’ll do something about it.
This might look like peer pressure or common practice, but we don’t believe it’s a fallacy at all.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
This river has been changing its course every couple of years for the past few thousand years. Now they’ve decided that the banks need to be stabilized. Who do the Army Corps of Engineers think they are to come in here and decide they know something Mother Nature doesn’t?
This kind of fallacy is of the “if it’s been going on like this for a long time, then this is the way it should continue” variety, which is close to our “argument from tradition,” but “tradition” doesn’t seem to apply comfortably when it’s nature and not people that is responsible for the situation. In any case, sometimes the mere fact that something has happened in a certain way can provide reasons for leaving well enough alone, but the mere fact that this is the way it has happened is not itself such a reason.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
So they came along and made me take my sign down because it was in violation of the city sign code. But look at the signs down in the next block, will you? They’re under the same code, and they’re just like the one I had to take down.
This may be an appeal to common practice, but there may be a reasonable appeal here as well, an appeal to fair play or equal treatment.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Sure, driving after you’ve been drinking can get you into trouble with the law, but if you’re careful I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it. After all, everyone does it, right?
Mistaken appeal to common practice.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
From a letter to the editor: “They’re wrong again, the doctors who say that the sun causes cancer. The four substances for all life are water, food, air, and sun. Everybody knows the sun opens the pores of your skin to poisons; it cannot cause cancer. Cancer is caused by the toxins man puts in the air, not by sunlight.”
—Cascade News
Appeal to popularity (“Everybody knows”), although this probably fits the proof surrogate (Ch. 5) model better.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Toads do cause warts. People have known that for centuries.
A version of appeal to popularity.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Overheard during a recent Olympics: “Oh, I don’t know. All athletes use some type of steroids in training and competition.”
Mistaken appeal to common practice.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
In its July 1988 issue, Consumer Reports criticized the Suzuki Samurai as unsafe and dangerously easy to roll over. In the next issue, a reader wrote in response, “In order to completely idiot-proof our society, we would have to surrender all freedom. Your suggestion that the government protect us from this evil vehicle is just another step in a journey that could ultimately lead to an erosion of freedom in this country.”
This could be viewed as a slippery slope combined with a straw man, a false dilemma, or both.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Obviously it was right for the United States to attack Iraq in 1991. Polls at the time showed that over 90 percent of Americans thought the war was justified.
Appeal to popularity.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
He: They’re nice speakers, but we can’t really afford them.
She: Why in heaven not?
He: If we buy them, next thing you know we’ll want to buy a new receiver to go with them, then a CD player, then a new tape deck, and on and on. We can’t afford all that stuff.
Slippery slope.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
Big L: I like the new civil rights bill, especially the provision that prohibits indirect discrimination practices, such as height and weight requirements that could exclude women.
Little C: It may sound fine to you, but not to me. We are almost to the point already that employers are forced to hire blacks just because they are black and women just because they are women, and that’s just reverse discrimination.
Could be analyzed as a straw man (Little C is distorting the provision that Big L supports) or as a slippery slope (if Little C is arguing that the provision will lead to the situation he describes) or as a red herring.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
From an ad for APC (a power supply brand): 30 million computer users don’t trust the power grid. They do trust APC. Shouldn’t you?
Mistaken appeal to popularity.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
There must be a God. After all, people and cultures have always believed in some sort of a deity going back to the beginning of humankind.
Mistaken appeal to tradition.
- Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue.
“Paranoia is rampant in Chico again. The latest lie is that wood stove and fireplace burning is extremely detrimental to your health. People, stop being so gullible and think hard, look at all the locals that have lived here all their lives—some well into their 90s. They, as well as all humans for the last 6,000 years have lived with wood smoke. Our locals in addition have grown up during the rice burning and smudge pot years. Why don’t you wood burning-a-phobics worry about how fat and sanitary you and your children are. Your alcohol use and your SUVs are polluting the air daily, not just during the winter months. All those things are the real killers of today’s society.”
Appeal to tradition in the first half, with some personal attack ad hominem and a red herring at the end.
- It is widely believed that chocolate causes acne, since people susceptible to acne frequently assert that eating chocolate is invariably followed by an outbreak of the skin condition. However, Donald G. Bruns, in a letter to Science News, wondered whether those who have the belief that chocolate causes acne might not have things backwards. Some studies indicate that hormonal changes associated with stress may cause acne, he notes. Other studies indicate that people fond of chocolate may tend to eat more chocolate when under stress. Given these studies, Bruns comments, it may be easy to confuse which, the chocolate or the acne, is the cause—and which is the effect.
In a brief essay, explain what pattern of reasoning seems to underlie the belief that chocolate causes acne (probably the paired unusual events principle—the relevant difference between this situation, where there were an outbreak of acne, and situations in which there was none is that in this situation the person ate chocolate), and then answer this question: Bruns complains that those who believe that chocolate causes acne may be guilty of the fallacy of reversed causation. Given the studies he cites, has Bruns correctly identified the mistake?
No. The mistake is ignoring an underlying third cause.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“This antique dealer should know what’s wrong with this old car of ours.”
Mistaken appeal to authority.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“The sign said no left turn, so I didn’t turn left to avoid the accident.”
Accident.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“Officer, I had the right of way. So it didn’t matter that he was in the intersection.”
Accident.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“As the percentage of female drivers has gone up, so has the traffic accident rate, proof right there that women aren’t good drivers.”
Cum hoc, ergo propter hoc.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“Everyone takes his or her eyes off the road now and then. Nothing wrong with that. So it is okay for me to do it while brushing my teeth.”
Accident.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“It is hazardous to use a cell while driving, so you shouldn’t have called 911 on your cell.”
Accident.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“We are having such a wet winter. I wonder what the cause is?”
Post hoc, ergo propter hoc (Overlooking the possibility of random variation).
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“It’s unlike to Jamal to miss two free throws in a row like that. I bet it’s because his father passed away.”
Post hoc, ergo propter hoc (Overlooking the possibility of random variation).
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“People who read a lot are less apt to suffer from dementia. So we recommend reading for all our older patients.”
Cum hoc, ergo propter hoc (Overlooking the possibility of reversed causation).
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“Never trust that TV manufacturing company. I bought a TV from them and it got spoilt within a month!”
Hasty generalization/generalizing from exceptional cases.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“Playing basketball causes you to grow taller. Ask anyone.”
Mistaken appeal to popularity.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“There is only one way to solve this problem; that is the way our forefathers solved it.”
Mistaken appeal to tradition.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“Wear a suit. Everyone knows it is the most fashionable attire for men.”
Mistaken appeal to popularity.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“My brother told me it is unwise to buy that phone. Therefore, that phone is bad.”
Mistaken appeal to authority.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“He is very reliable. You can count on him if you need a ride home.”
Accident.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“I’m sure he makes great music, judging from his latest song.”
Hasty generalization.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“When I fell off my bike in that city, no one around offered to help. I guess everyone in that city is unfriendly.”
Hasty generalization.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“The Alps are like the Rockies. I enjoyed the Rockies; therefore, I’m sure you’ll enjoy the Alps.”
Weak analogy.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“I don’t believe that poverty is a problem. Nobody I know faces this problem. It is just something the media wants you to fear. It is not real.”
Fallacy of small sample, hasty generalization.
- Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage.
“Everyone knows that sports is the best way to maintain physical health.”
Mistaken appeal to common belief (popularity).
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