Logical Reasoning Questions

Question 1

What is a logical fallacy?

Answer 1

A flaw in reasoning that undermines the logic of an argument.

Question 2

True or False: All logical fallacies are intentionally deceptive.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Fill in the blank: An __________ fallacy occurs when a conclusion is drawn from insufficient evidence.

Answer 3

hasty generalization

Question 4

Which fallacy is characterized by attacking the person making the argument rather than the argument itself?

Answer 4

ad hominem

Question 5

Multiple choice: Which of the following is an example of a straw man fallacy?
A) Misrepresenting someone’s argument to make it easier to attack
B) Arguing that a position is true because everyone believes it
C) Presenting two options as the only possibilities

Answer 5

A) Misrepresenting someone’s argument to make it easier to attack

Question 6

What logical fallacy involves using a false dichotomy to limit the options in an argument?

Answer 6

false dilemma

Question 7

True or False: The slippery slope fallacy asserts that a relatively small first step leads to a chain of related events culminating in a significant impact.

Answer 7

True

Question 8

What is the fallacy called when someone claims that a conclusion is true because it has not been proven false?

Answer 8

appeal to ignorance

Question 9

Fill in the blank: The __________ fallacy involves using emotional appeals rather than logical reasoning.

Answer 9

appeal to emotion

Question 10

Which fallacy occurs when an argument is considered valid based on its origin rather than its content?

Answer 10

genetic fallacy

Question 11

What fallacy is related to the assumption that one must choose between two opposing views?

Answer 11

false dichotomy

Question 12

Multiple choice: Which of the following is NOT a type of logical fallacy?
A) Red herring
B) Circular reasoning
C) Empirical evidence

Answer 12

C) Empirical evidence

Question 13

True or False: A slippery slope argument is always a fallacy.

Answer 13

False

Question 14

What does the term ‘begging the question’ refer to in logical fallacies?

Answer 14

Assuming the conclusion within the premises without proper justification.

Question 15

Ad Hominem

Answer 15

a fallacy that attacks the person rather than dealing with the real issue in dispute. (ex: dismissing someone’s argument on climate change because they are not a scientist does not address the actual merits of their argument)

Question 16

Straw Man

Answer 16

someone misrepresents an opponent’s argument to make it easier to attack. This can be exaggeration, distortion or fabrication of someone else’s position. (ex: someone argues for more regulation to protect environment a straw man response would be ‘my opponent wants to shut down all factories and put everyone out of work’).

Question 17

False Dilemma

Answer 17

occurs when it is suggested that only two alternatives exist even though there may be others (ex: ‘you’re either with us or against us’ ignores the possibility of neutrality or alt. positions)

Question 18

Slippery Slope

Answer 18

A fallacy that assumes that taking a first step will lead to subsequent steps that cannot be prevented (ex: if we allow students to redo their assignments for a better grade, soon they will expect to pass classes without doing any work at all)

Question 19

Circular Argument

Answer 19

Instead of offering proof, the argument restates the conclusion in different words. (ex: our boss is the best person for the job because they were promoted to boss // We must trust the news because it is the most reliable source of information)

Question 20

Red Harring

Answer 20

A fallacy that introduces an irrelevant issue to divert attention from the subject under discussion (ex:Why worry about the environmental impacts of fracking when peole are starving in the world?)

Question 21

Hasty Generalization

Answer 21

making a broad generalization based on a small or unrepresentative sample. (ex: concluding all teenagers are irresponsible because you know a few that are)

Question 22

Appeal to Authority

Answer 22

You said that because an authority thinks something, it must therefore be true. It misuses the respect people have for experts. It becomes fallicious when the person cited is not an authority in the field related to the argument. (Ex: Citing a famous author’s opinion on the environment doesnt have the same weight as citing a climate scientist’s research.

Question 23

Bandwagon Fallacy

Answer 23

suggests that something is true or correct because many people believe it. (ex: everyone believes this policy is beneficial, so it must be the right thing to do)