Unit 5 Flashcards
Describe “False Dilemma” fallacy.
False Dilemma falacy involves an argument in the form of Disjunctinve pattern - “either … or …” that presents two alternatives as the only possible ones in the premise. In reality, there are more alternatives possible for that specific argument. Thus, such premise is false and the argument unsound.
What type of fallacy is this: “Either we legalize drugs or we keep building new prisons and filling them with drug offenders”?
False Dilemma. There are more alternatives possible than the ones presented.
Describe “Slippery Slope” fallacy.
Slippery Slope fallacy argues that a circumstance will arise from a certain action. In reality that circumstance is very unlikely to arise from that particular action. In Slippery Slope, the person argues that if something happens then something else will happen.
What type of fallacy is this: “We cannot unlock our child from the closet because if we do, she will want to roam the house. If we let her roam the house, she will want to roam the neighborhood. If she roams the neighborhood, she will get picked up by a stranger in a van, who will sell her in a sex slavery ring in some other country. Therefore, we should keep her locked up in the closet.”
Slippery Slope.
While it is likely that the child will want to roam the house and maybe go out to the street. It is highly improbable that the child will be picked up by a stranger in a van to be sold to slavery.
Describe “Sraw Man” logical fallacy.
In “Straw Man” logical fallacy the opponent first wrongfully assigns the weaker and innacurate (and often such that was never presented by the opponent) argument to the opponent and secondly presents his/her argument as the only alternative to the opponent’s (effectively using False Dilemma fallacy as there are usually more alternatives).
What type of fallacy is this:
Person 1: What is your view on the Christian God?
Person 2: I don’t believe in any gods, including the Christian one.
Person 1: So you think that we are here by accident, and all this design in nature is pure chance, and the universe just created itself?
This is a Sraw Man fallacy.
Person 1 wrongfully assigns the view that we are here by accident etc to Person 2 (who never said that). Person 1 also implies that Person 1 view on this topic is wrong and Person’s 2 opinion is correct.
What type of fallacy is this:
Our senator opposes an agreement to limit carbon emmissions. He must think that climate change poses absolutely no serious threat.
This is a Sraw Man fallacy.
The senator does oppose an agreement but he does not necessarily think that the climate change poses no threat. It is just a speakers attempt to “make a straw man” and then topple it.
Describe “Affirming the Consequent” fallacy
“Affirming the Consequent” fallacy is the argument with the following template:
(1) If A then B
(2) B
(C) Therefore, A.
It resembles Modus Ponens but is fallacious.
What kind of fallacy is this:
“If the government does its job properly then the poverty rate would go down. The poverty rate does go down. The government does its job properly.”
This is “Affirming the Consequent” fallacy.
Describe “Denying the Antecedent” fallacy.
“Denying the Antecedent” fallacy is the argument that follows the pattern:
(1) If A then B
(2) not A
(C) Therefore, not B
It resembles Modus Tollens but is fallacious.
What fallacy is this:
“If she loves you she will marry you. She does not love you. She will not marry you.”
This is “Denying the Antecedent” fallacy.
Describe “Equviocation” fallacy.
In “Equivocation” fallacy the same terms used in premises or the conclusion take on different meaning. This is also called “the expression that shifts meaning”.
What fallacy is this:
“The priest told me I should have faith.
I have faith that my son will do well in school this year.
Therefore, the priest should be happy with me.”
This is “Equivocation” fallacy. The term faith shifts meanings between two premises. In one it means belief in the higher powers. In second it means confidence.
Describe “Begging the Question” (petitio principii) fallacy.
Technicaly, “Begging the Question” fallacy satisfies the requirement of validity for the argument. Often, this argument follows the pattern:
(1) A
(C) A
Such argument does not provide more reasons to believe the conclusion and simply restates the premise. It is, therefore is guilty of begging the question.
What fallacy is this:
“The reason everyone wants the new “Silly Elmo” doll is because this is the hottest toy of the season”
This is “Begging the Question (petitio principii)” fallacy. The conclusion “Everyone wants the new toy” is simply a paraphrasing of “this is the hottest toy of the season.”
