Fallacies in Logic Week 1. Guilt by association. False dilemma. Tu quoque. Slippery slope

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1 Fallacies in Logic Week 1 Guilt By Association The weak assumption that if something or someone is associated with a group then it/he always takes on a set of characteristics of others with that group. False Dilemma The assumption that there are only one or a few choices when many more actually exist. Tu Quoque ( you also ) Saying that the speaker doesn t practice what he is supporting so the argument is flawed. The argument must be separated from the arguer. Slippery Slope A series of increasingly horrendous consequences is predicted from a relatively mild cause. 1. Since he does not adopt children himself, how can he be supporting a community-wide adoption program? 2. Are you a republican or a democrat? Tu quoque False dilemma 1. If congress passes this bill that limits the sale of armorpiercing bullets, the Russians will exploit our gun control laws and invade our country soon! 2. His friend is a communist, so I bet he is also. Slippery slope Guilt by association 1. He is rich so he must be a republican. Guilt by association 2. If students are forced to pay to park on campus, half of them will likely just drop out. Then where will we be? Slippery slope 1. Our president who is for this war on drugs is so hypocritical since, you know, he smoked pot back in college. 2. Either you like having a big government or you hate it! Tu quoque False dilemma 1. All socialists believe in welfare. So do communists. Thus, all socialists must be communists! 2. Judge, how can my opponent argue that we should befriend China? I know for a fact that he doesn t buy clothes made in China! Guilt by association Tu quoque

2 Fallacies in Logic Week 2 Argument from Ignorance Saying that since we don t really know whether something is true, it must be false (or vice versa). Bandwagon Erroneously saying that since most everyone thinks or does it, it must be right. Ad Populum Using loaded, emotion-filled language, usually surrounding group prejudices or associations, to influence a statement rather than facing the issues. Argument from Normality Saying that because we ve always done things this way, they must be the right thing to do. 1. If my opponent cannot prove that what I am saying is wrong, he is forced to acknowledge that I am right. 2. Everyone believes that we should save the whales, so not saving them would be a mistake. 1. The cheerleaders have always worn those short skirts on pep-rally days, so how can you say it s a violation of dress code? 2. Obviously if you didn t support the Patriot Act then you aren t a real patriot! 1. How can television be harmful? Everyone watches it! Argument from Ignorance Bandwagon Argument from Normality Ad populum Bandwagon 2. Until we can prove that live exists on Mars, we must assume that it does not. Argument from Ignorance 1. There s always been a Confederate flag flying over our State of Georgia, so why are so many people upset about it? 2. Everyone wants the Confederate flag to fly over Georgia, so why shouldn t we have it? Argument from Normality Bandwagon 1. Only a cold-blooded psychopath would make such an argument! We sane, people-friendly folks have no such thoughts. 2. Unless you can show how the Government could pay for such a program, we have to assume that it can t. Ad populum Argument from ignorance

3 Fallacies in Logic Week 3 Post Hoc (ergo propter hoc) Assuming that there is a causal relationship between two events simply because one happened first. False Appeal to Authority Referring to an authority who really isn t an expert on the issue. Red Herring shifting to a side argument and arguing it as if it is the main argument. Straw Man The speaker invents a distorted, easier-to-attack version of his opponent s arguments and attacks that instead of the argument the opponent has presented. Ad Hominem Personal attacks against the arguer that focus on the arguer, his character, his past, etc., rather than attacking his arguments. My opponent is arguing for gun control, so he then must be arguing for more government. Here is why more government is bad. I saw that guy in my office ten minutes before I found out my keys were stolen, so I know who stole them. If Michael Jackson says that the war in Iraq is wrong, you can be sure that our government is wrong in its war effort. His arguments may seem reasonable, but he s been divorced, so his character flaws really cast doubt on what he is saying. Straw man Post hoc False appeal To authority Ad hominem How can we not afford to listen to the wisdom of out movie stars when it comes to matters of foreign policy? Of course that police officer gave me a ticket! His mother and my mother have been enemies since the third grade! You say that we should protect the oceans, but what about all that money we are spending on Israel? You say that we should be spending money on Israel, so you probably also believe that Israel should occupy Syria. Here s why that is the wrong position to take. Well, I too would believe that if I dressed so poorly as my opponent. But he s wrong! Even though the issue is space travel, shouldn t we be discussing more important issues like the rain forests? You see, the rain forest needs to be saved because... False appeal To authority Post hoc Red herring Straw man Ad hominem Red herring

4 Fallacies in Logic Quiz Week Guilt By Association False Dilemma Tu Quoque Slippery Slope Argument from Ignorance Ad Populum Bandwagon Argument from Normality Red Herring Post Hoc False Appeal to Authority Straw Man Ad Hominem A series of increasingly horrendous consequences is predicted from a relatively mild cause. The assumption that there are only one or a few choices when many more actually exist. Shifting to a side argument and arguing it as if it is the main argument. Personal attacks against the arguer that focus on the arguer, his character, his past, etc., rather than attacking his arguments. Slippery Slope False Dilemma Red Herring Ad Hominem The speaker invents a distorted, easier-to-attack version of his opponent s arguments and attacks that instead of the argument the opponent has presented. Erroneously saying that since most everyone thinks or does it, it must be right. Saying that since we don t really know whether something is true, it must be false (or vice versa). Saying that the speaker doesn t practice what he is supporting so the argument is flawed. The argument must be separated from the arguer. Saying that because we ve always done things this way, they must be the right thing to do. Using loaded, emotion-filled language, usually surrounding group prejudices or associations, to influence a statement. Straw Man Bandwagon Argument from Ignorance Tu Quoque Argument from Normality Ad Populum

5 Fallacies Review for Exam I Guilt By Association False Dilemma Tu Quoque Slippery Slope Argument from Ignorance Bandwagon Ad Populum Argument from Normality Post Hoc False Appeal to Authority Straw Man Ad Hominem Red Herring I. Label the definitions: 1. The weak assumption that if something or someone is associated with a group then it/he always takes on a set of characteristics of others with that group. 2. Personal attacks against the arguer that focus on the arguer, his character, his past, etc., rather than attacking his arguments. 3. Referring to an authority who really isn t an expert on the issue. 4. shifting to a side argument and arguing it as if it is the main argument. 5. Saying that since we don t really know whether something is true, it must be false (or vice versa). 6. Erroneously saying that since most everyone thinks or does it, it must be right. 7. A series of increasingly horrendous consequences is predicted from a relatively mild cause. 8. Saying that the speaker doesn t practice what he is supporting so the argument is flawed. The argument must be separated from the arguer. 9. The assumption that there are only one or a few choices when many more actually exist. 10. The speaker invents a distorted, easier-to-attack version of his opponent s arguments and attacks that instead of the argument the opponent has presented. 11. Assuming that there is a causal relationship between two events simply because one happened first. 12. Saying that because we ve always done things this way, they must be the right thing to do. 13. Using loaded, emotion-filled language, usually surrounding group prejudices or associations, to influence a statement rather than facing the issues. II. Label the examples: 14. Why should I clean my room? I don t see you cleaning your room Mother! 15. Are you a straight-a student or a flunkie? 16. Al Gore must have gotten more votes than Bush since no one can prove that he didn t! 17. Forcing students to go to school for an extra hour during the day will eventually lead to students having to go to school an extra week, then an extra month! We must stop this! 18. Ah, come on Dad! Why shouldn t I go out partying with my friends? Everyone else s dad lets him! 19. All the lawyers that I ve met are immoral, so I d say that most lawyers are immoral! 20. Since my opponent is pro-choice on the abortion issue, he must also agree that human life is not sacred! Here is why human life is sacred... (other than red herring)

6 Fallacies Exam I Guilt By Association False Dilemma Tu Quoque Slippery Slope Argument from Ignorance Bandwagon Ad Populum Argument from Normality Post Hoc False Appeal to Authority Straw Man Ad Hominem Red Herring I. Label the definitions: 1. Referring to an authority who really isn t an expert on the issue. 2. A series of increasingly horrendous consequences is predicted from a relatively mild cause. 3. The assumption that there are only one or a few choices when many more actually exist. 4. Saying that because we ve always done things this way, they must be the right thing to do. 5. Using loaded, emotion-filled language, usually surrounding group prejudices or associations, to influence a statement rather than facing the issues. II. Label the examples: 6. Despite thousands of so-called sightings, no hard evidence for UFO s has ever been produced. Therefore, UFO s don t exist. 7. If you re against the War, you re not supporting our sons and daughters in uniform. 8. Students who fail grades are a danger to our society. A failing student soon turns to a life of crime and often ends up in prison for killing someone. 9. Everyone cheats on his taxes a little, so there is nothing wrong with it! 10. If congress does not support this bill to stop gun control, we might as well sit around and wait for Armageddon to happen because it won t be long. 11. You sound like a gosh darn hippie when you talk about legalizing marijuana for personal and medicinal use! Are you some kind of wanna-be 60 s beatnik or something? 12. If you don t exercise regularly, you ll grow fat and die at Sure, my opponent has made some good points about the need for children to be educated on the benefits of good hygiene, but I doubt if he has any friends that would listen. 14. I have known a number of overweight educators, so I d say that most teachers are obese. 15. Yes my grades are failing, but I ve been keeping up with my chores, haven t I? 16. A black cat crossed Joe s path yesterday, and he died this morning. Spooky eh? 17. As every red-blooded, corn-fed, patriotic American knows, this country was founded on religious principles, so the separation of church and state idea can only be supported by a bunch of godless, fascist atheists! (other than ad hominem) 18. My opponent claims that we are over-fishing the oceans, but I know for a fact that he goes deep sea fishing with his father every year, so his argument is invalid. 19. Of course it s true. Everybody believes it, don t they? 20. Of course it s right. We ve always done it this way, right?

7 Fallacies in Logic Week 4 Complex Question a question posed that requires a self-incriminating response because of how it is worded Fantasy Projection The speaker creates a what-if situation in which an alternate reality demonstrates his point ignoring the fact that it s a fictional reality Biased Sample the speaker makes broad statements about a group, relying on statistics that are obviously taken from biased sources Relativist fallacy saying that certain truths are only applicable to certain people, when in fact truth is truth. The democrats were polled and all claim that the democratic candidate will win the election, so we can assume that all Americans believe this to be true. If you had cancer, you would agree that cancer research is needed! If President Bush were president in the 60s, he would have been for the Vietnam Conflict. Have you stopped beating your wife? Biased sample Fantasy projection Fantasy projection Complex question If you ask 1000 southern white guys who drive trucks with gun racks whether or not the confederate flag should fly over Alabama, they would say it should. I think they speak for all Americans! He may be your president, but he s not mine! I didn t vote for him! Biased sample Relativist fallacy Did you truly intend for your evil acts to be noticed? Complex question As far as we democrats are concerned, the Clinton scandal didn t happen! Ok, imagine we are all living on Mars and we tried implementing your plan. It wouldn t work, would it? What makes you think it would work here? We don t need a third party. Just ask the republicans and democrats! Relativist fallacy Fantasy projection Biased sample

8 Fallacies in Logic Week 5 Hasty Generalization Basing conclusions on too little evidence Faulty Analogy trying to make a comparison between two things when obvious differences exist The Stolen Concept Using a concept while rejecting an essential part of that concept, thus twisting its meaning to fit one s own constructed definition Null Value The speaker gives a worthless answer, considering what question was asked. What is need anyway? I say that needing is about having since when one needs, one HAS a need. So you can t prove that we need anything that we don t already have. Since Dr. Jan loves the two classes in which I have enrolled, I am only to assume that I am her favorite student. I like justice, except for that part about being fair and impartial. Stolen concept Hasty generalization Stolen concept Dave: Are you for abortion or against it? Tom: Yes. Null value The school system is like a commune. Here s why communes don t work and thus why school systems don t work... Mick: Are you an honest person? Sara: Yes. My parents dislike you. Neither do my neighbors. Thus, nobody likes you. Abe: What percent of women are working mothers? Mel: The same percent of women that have children and work. False analogy Null value Hasty generalization Null value The Boy Scouts don t admit admittedly homosexual members, so all Boy Scouts must hate all homosexuals! Life is like a box of chocolates... Hasty generalization False analogy

9 Fallacies Review for Exam II Guilt By Association False Dilemma Tu Quoque Slippery Slope Argument from Ignorance Bandwagon Ad Populum Argument from Normality Post Hoc False Appeal to Authority Straw Man Ad Hominem Red Herring Hasty Generalization Faulty Analogy Stolen Concept Null Value Complex Question Fantasy Projection Biased Sample Relativist fallacy I. Match the word to its definition: 1. The speaker creates a what-if situation in which an alternate reality demonstrates his point ignoring the fact that it s a fictional reality. 2. the speaker makes broad statements about a group, relying on statistics that are obviously taken from biased sources. 3. a question posed that requires a self-incriminating response because of how it is worded. 4. Personal attacks against the arguer that focus on the arguer, his character, his past, etc., rather than attacking his arguments. 5. saying that certain truths are only applicable to certain people, when in fact truth is truth. 6. Basing conclusions on too little evidence. 7. trying to make a comparison between two things when obvious differences exist. 8. Using a concept while rejecting an essential part of that concept, thus twisting its meaning to fit one s own constructed definition. 9. Saying that because we ve always done things this way, they must be the right thing to do. 10. The speaker gives a worthless answer, considering what question was asked. II. Label the example with the fallacy it best fits: (none is hasty generalization) 11. Have you given up cheating on exams? 12. Al: Should we get the red or the yellow shirt? Beth: Yes. 13. Love is all about obligation and commitment, which are just burdens, so I d have to really despise you in order to love you. 14. Since O.J. Simpson advertises orange juice, it must be the best brand. How could anyone named O.J. not know everything there is to know orange juice? 15. Imagine that the U.S. had health care coverage for everyone. It would be a perfect system, right? 16. The entire AP English IV class feels that this school should have more AP classes, so you know most students probably feel that way. 17. Either you love animals or you hate them. 18. You may be a descendant of ape-like creatures, but I know I wasn t! 19. C mon, have a beer... Everyone s doing it! 20. Unless you can prove me wrong, I m right.

10 Fallacies Exam II Guilt By Association False Dilemma Tu Quoque Slippery Slope Argument from Ignorance Bandwagon Ad Populum Argument from Normality Post Hoc False Appeal to Authority Straw Man Ad Hominem Red Herring Hasty Generalization Faulty Analogy Stolen Concept Null Value Complex Question Fantasy Projection Biased Sample Relativist fallacy I. Match the word to its definition: 1. The weak assumption that if something or someone is associated with a group then it/he always takes on a set of characteristics of others with that group. 2. Saying that because we ve always done things this way, they must be the right thing to do. 3. trying to make a comparison between two things when obvious differences exist. 4. Using a concept while rejecting an essential part of that concept, thus twisting its meaning to fit one s own constructed definition. 5. trying to make a comparison between two things when obvious differences exist 6. a question posed that requires a self-incriminating response because of how it is worded 7. The speaker creates a what-if situation in which an alternate reality demonstrates his point ignoring the fact that it s a fictional reality 8. the speaker makes broad statements about a group, relying on statistics that are obviously taken from biased sources 9. saying that certain truths are only applicable to certain people, when in fact truth is truth. 10. The speaker gives a worthless answer, considering what question was asked. II. Choose the terms that best fits the examples: (none is hasty generalization) 11. Our school has guided us from blindness to understanding. It is the mother that cares for us. 12. Why are you failing my intelligent, hard-working child? 13. Abe: Dr. Neitchleipzitzenstein, the famous philosopher, was against welfare reform in Germany, so how can you be in support of it? Dale: Who? 14. The fact that one out of 10 men shave their armpits is just your opinion. It s not true from my perspective. 15. A real American would have voted for that bill! 16. What is selfishness? It is the belief that the self is of central importance, but there is a certain selflessness in selfishness since you are only hurting yourself and thus deteriorating the self when you are selfish. 17. Nine out of ten Americans with disabilities say that we need laws against the discrimination of the disabled, so congresspersons really should pass that law. 18. Teaching adults is like trying to open a can of sardines without a can-opener. 19. Are you an underachiever or do you just look that way? 20. Of course my opponent is arguing against mandatory dress codes just look at how he dresses! It s disgusting!

11 Fallacies in Logic Week 6 The Barking Cat claiming that one would accept an idea if it were stripped of that which makes it the idea (e.g., I would like to have a cat, provided it barked.) Ambiguous Collective The speaker cites a plural pronoun as the doer without a clear antecedent Gambler s Fallacy arguing the greater likelihood of an event to happen since it hasn t happened in a while with the odds actually being the same. Spotlight Fallacy The speaker assumes that media coverage signals common occurrences when in fact the media covers exceptional occurrences I would accept your plan regarding the oceans if it were applied to the rainforests. All actors are corrupt. Whenever the media is covering one, he is doing something immoral! Barking cat Spotlight fallacy We all feel that the United States should get involved in the Middle East. Today s schools are dangerous places! Just look at all the school shootings on TV! Ambiguous Collective Spotlight fallacy We re due for another rain shower since we haven t had one in a while. I would love to have a job if it didn t involve any work.. Gambler s fallacy Barking cat They should make it illegal to use buffalo meat in restaurants. That dog has never won a race, so I m going to bet on him since it s about his turn! Those people in the government don t care about the common man. I think we should accept the Non-proliferation treaty as it is, but allow only the U.S. to build up nukes. Ambiguous Collective Gambler s fallacy Ambiguous Collective Barking cat

12 Fallacies in Logic Week 7 Suppression of the Agent The arguer purposely hides the doer of an action, usually by using a passive tense of an active verb Appeal to Motivation Attacking someone s position by linking the position to the defender s personal stake in the issue. Appeal to Tradition Arguing that a situation is right or good because it has always been the same or is a tradition. Middle Ground Arguing that one is right because he is holding a middle position. Circular Reasoning Restating an assertion as if one is giving evidence <or> stating an assertion and evidence that obviously hasn t been proven. Sure you think teachers should make more money you re a teacher! We ve always had a war on drugs so why change it? Appeal to Motivation Appeal to Tradition The democratic party represents a position between the extreme positions of pure communism and pure capitalism, so it is the right party to be a part of. A deck of cards was stolen from my desk. Middle ground Suppression of the Agent We should lift the embargo on Cuba because it needs to be lifted. Hey, I m not saying that I want guns eliminated, nor am I saying everyone should have one. Thus, I m right. Sudden death overtime has always been around in the NFT, so why change it? Hillary is just putting out a new book to increase her chances for the presidency when she decides to run. I m not conservative. I m not liberal. I just represent what s right. Why am I calling you a liar? Because you don t tell the truth! Circular Reasoning Middle ground Appeal to Tradition Appeal to Motivation Middle Ground Circular reasoning

13 Reivew for Cumulative Fallacies Exam Guilt By Association False Dilemma Tu Quoque Slippery Slope Argument from Ignorance Bandwagon Ad Populum Argument from Normality Post Hoc False Appeal to Authority Straw Man Ad Hominem Red Herring Hasty Generalization Faulty Analogy Stolen Concept Null Value Complex Question Fantasy Projection Biased Sample Relativist fallacy The Barking Cat Middle Ground Spotlight Fallacy Ambiguous Collective Gambler s Fallacy Suppression of the Agent Appeal to Motivation Appeal to Tradition Circular Reasoning I. Match the word to its definition: 1. The speaker creates a what-if situation in which an alternate reality demonstrates his point ignoring the fact that it s a fictional reality. 2. claiming that one would accept an idea if it were stripped of that which makes it the idea. 3. The arguer purposely hides the doer of an action, usually by using a passive tense of an active verb. 4. the speaker makes broad statements about a group, relying on statistics that are obviously taken from biased sources. 5. The speaker cites a plural pronoun as the doer without a clear antecedent. 6. Attacking someone s position by linking the position to the defender s personal stake in the issue. 7. arguing the greater likelihood of an event to happen since it hasn t happened in a while with the odds actually being the same. 8. Arguing that one is right because he is holding a position between extremes. 9. Arguing that a situation is right or good because it has always been done this way. 10. The speaker assumes that media coverage signals common occurrences when in fact the media covers exceptional occurrences. II. Choose the terms that best fits the examples: (none is hasty generalization) 11. I do not go to extremes on any issue that way, I m sure to be always right. 12. What do you mean we must give essay exams!? Haven t we always given multiple choice exams? 13. Well, they say you should not spank your children So long as I do not have to take any exams, I will submit to testing. (not stolen concept) 15. You re just saying that we should occupy Iraq because you have stocks in oil companies! 16. When Carter took over the country there was an energy shortage. There was unemployment. There was a recession. 17. Well, if we go to enough debate tournaments, we re bound to win one eventually. Our time will come! 18. Rick: I think a good way to increase natural resources, like fish, is to kill the sharks that eat them. Whit: That s because you re an idiot. 19. Well, I m not an extremist because I like to be right. All extremes are wrong. 20. There was an airplane crash on television, so accidents must becoming more frequent occurrences.

14 Cumulative Fallacies Exam Guilt By Association False Dilemma Tu Quoque Slippery Slope Argument from Ignorance Bandwagon Ad Populum Argument from Normality Post Hoc False Appeal to Authority Straw Man Ad Hominem Red Herring Hasty Generalization Faulty Analogy Stolen Concept Null Value Complex Question Fantasy Projection Biased Sample Relativist fallacy The Barking Cat Middle Ground Spotlight Fallacy Ambiguous Collective Gambler s Fallacy Suppression of the Agent Appeal to Motivation Appeal to Tradition Circular Reasoning I. Match the word to its definition: 1. Restating an assertion as if one is giving evidence or stating an assertion with and evidence that obviously hasn t been proven. 2. The arguer purposely hides the doer of an action, usually by using a passive tense of an active verb. 3. claiming that one would accept an idea if it were stripped of that which makes it the idea. 4. the speaker makes broad statements about a group, relying on statistics that are obviously taken from biased sources. 5. The speaker cites a plural pronoun as the doer without a clear antecedent. II. Choose the terms that best fits the examples: (none is hasty generalization) 6. Dad, please let me get my tongue pierced. Everyone is doing it! 7. Jessica: I Some have a shots card here were by fired Imade Thisup who said that whales... Gina: Who? Jessica: Oh, you haven t read Thisup s works? He s a great authority on whaling! and some people were 8. We may be thrown into a constitutional crisis if the ballots aren t handrecounted in Florida. Joe Leiberman. killed. 9. The doors of the school were not locked last night. 10. I accept my opponent s plan, assuming the funding sources and timetables were changed. 11. You sin all the time, so don t tell me I shouldn t steal! 12. Many believe that euthanasia should be legalized. 13. Al: Did you just say that we should allow the killing of whales? Bob: I think the more important question is, Is there life on Mars? 14. The reason we should kill mosquitoes is that they deserve killing! 15. Someone who believes, as my opponent does, that manatees should be saved probably also supports taking land away from land owners for the spotted owl. Here s why people should be able to keep their land Hard-working, born-and-bred Americ