Government 2305 Houston Community College NW, Professor M. Tiller, Fallacies
Unlock all answers in this set
Unlock answersquestion
APPEAL TO FORCE
answer
Also called appeal to fear, it is an argument based on coercion alone. That is, power--rather than reasoning--determines the outcome. The most common response to such an argument is: \"might does not make right\".
question
ABUSIVE AD HOMINEM
answer
A personal attack on the opponent, rather than the ideas the opponent advocates.
question
CIRCUMSTANTIAL AD HOMINEM
answer
An appeal to prejudices and unfair stereotypes about the circumstances, or background, of the opponent, instead of the opponent's argument. Most forms of racism, sexism, and other prejudices fall into this category.
question
APPEAL TO IGNORANCE
answer
also called the fallacy of negative proof, it assumes that because an argument cannot be disproved, it must be true. Just because one cannot provide evidence that proves the speaker wrong does not make the speaker's argument valid.
question
APPEAL TO PITY
answer
An attempt to use the audience's sympathy, concern, or possibly even guilty feelings about an unfortunate situation to overwhelm or suspend their logical reasoning.
question
APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE
answer
The rationalization that if most people believe it, it must be true.
question
APPEAL TO AUTHORITY
answer
an argument based on the unstated reasoning or opinion of a supposed expert. Of course, there is nothing wrong with citing authorities, which may offer good advice, but it is also essential that the argument itself be explained. That is, in this fallacy, the speaker gives us only the authority's conclusion, without a premise we can question. The speaker is essentially using the authority's conclusion as his premise. This would be acceptable only if the authority's premise was also given. One might question the credentials of purported experts, but whether the authority is really knowledgeable or wiseis not the primary issue. The fallacy lies in the failure of the speaker to actually provide the audience with an argument that can be critically examined.
question
FALLACY OF ACCIDENT
answer
Inappropriately applying a general rule to a particular case, not allowing for the exceptional case.
question
FALLACY OF CONVERSE ACCIDENT
answer
overgeneralization; assuming that one case (or a few) explains the whole, or that what is true for a part is true for the whole. It is fallacious to create a general rule from one or a few cases because they may happen to be \"accidents\" (exceptional cases), i.e. not typical of the norm.
question
BEGGING THE QUESTION
answer
In most cases circular reasoning; using the conclusion to support a premise upon which the conclusion relies. In such arguments, there is no real premise, since it is really just a repeat of the conclusion. In other words, it prompts the listener to beg for the premise--the rationale for the conclusion.
question
FALLACY OF FALSE CAUSE
answer
also called the post hoc fallacy, it incorrectly attributes a causal relationship--either because two events seem to occur at roughly the same time, or because one event follows another. In the first case the assumption of co-variation confuses cause and effect--both events might be effects of one or separate causes, rather than one causing the other. In the second case, the assumption that the second event is dependent uponthe first is fallacious without proof. Even if the two are related, the conclusion may not be completely explained by the given premise.
question
FALLACY OF THE COMPLEX QUESTION
answer
A question which cannot be answered yes or no, because it assumes hostile premises that have not yet been proven.
question
IRRELEVANT CONCLUSION
answer
Offering a conclusion which is not germane (relevant) to the original premise. It is often a convincing premise, or a widely accepted fact, but it has nothing to do with the speaker's conclusion. Like a \"red herring,\" or a \"slippery slope\" argument, it diverts attention away from the real issue.
question
IRRELEVANT CONCLUSION
answer
\"You say there is no money in the budget for a state monument to honor Texas' veterans? Yes, there is! They honorably served their country and they deserve a monument!\"
question
IRRELEVANT CONCLUSION
answer
\"This concept of affirmative action is a dangerous idea. American corporations are not competitive in Japan.\"
question
IRRELEVANT CONCLUSION
answer
\"Texas needs new sources of tax revenue, so I really don't think a lottery would attract organized crime or encourage addictive gambling.\"
question
FALLACY OF THE COMPLEX QUESTION
answer
\"Are you going to continue to cover up the Attorney General's investigation?\"
question
FALLACY OF THE COMPLEX QUESTION
answer
\"Why are you voting for that cultural exchange program with the Chinese? Do you want them to come over here and brainwash our youth with their communist propaganda?\"
question
FALLACY OF THE COMPLEX QUESTION
answer
\"When it becomes clear that your tax estimates are unrealistic, will they be revised then?\"
question
FALLACY OF FALSE CAUSE
answer
\"Had we not built the B-1B bomber, Soviet leader Gorbachev would not have begun the process of economic andpolitical reform.\"
question
FALLACY OF FALSE CAUSE
answer
\"The Governor ruined our economy. Before he took office, the petroleum industry was booming. Just look at it now.\"
question
FALLACY OF FALSE CAUSE
answer
\"Since the 1973 Roev. Waderuling, which upheld abortion rights, there has been a great increase in reported child abuse. Therefore, the Supreme Court is responsible.\"
question
BEGGING THE QUESTION
answer
\"The reason there's so many reports in the press about ethics and scandals is because the media is focusing on this issue.\"
question
BEGGING THE QUESTION
answer
\"Clearly, Iran is anti-American because they are hostile to U.S. interests and positions.\"
question
BEGGING THE QUESTION
answer
\"It is the duty of the United States to promote freedom around the world because we are obligated to support liberty.\"
question
FALLACY OF CONVERSE ACCIDENT
answer
\"My sister knows a legislator, and she told me about him. Politicians are all a bunch of crooks!\"
question
FALLACY OF CONVERSE ACCIDENT
answer
\"If each and every interest group successfully promotes its agenda (gets what it wants), the whole country will be well-served, since interest groups represent all segments of society.\"
question
FALLACY OF CONVERSE ACCIDENT
answer
\"There will be no revolution; the people of this country are perfectly content with the way things are. I know, because I play polo with some of them every Sunday on my day off from the embassy.\"
question
FALLACY OF ACCIDENT
answer
\"He is a Anglo Protestant millionaire investor, so I assume he is a Republican.\"
question
FALLACY OF ACCIDENT
answer
\"Judge Free ruled against the AmericanCivil Liberties Union? That's impossible; I've watched him for years, and I know he is a great civil libertarian.\"
question
FALLACY OF ACCIDENT
answer
\"I don't believe that people in Kuwait are rich, because I hear all of the time how poverty-stricken the Third World countries are.\"
question
APPEAL TO AUTHORITY
answer
\"We don't need more police stations. The mayor said just last week that we have enough.\"
question
APPEAL TO AUTHORITY
answer
\"I don't care what your textbook says. President Reagan said the 'iron triangle' included Congress, special interests, and the press.\"
question
APPEAL TO AUTHORITY
answer
\"Why? Because I'm the judge, and I said so.\"
question
APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE
answer
\"The Speaker is a criminal. According to a recent poll, 91% of the public said he broke the law.\"
question
APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE
answer
\"You are so naive! Everyone knows the death penalty deters murders.\"
question
APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE
answer
\"That party's platform is nonsense. Last election, none of their candidates won more than 3% of the vote.\"
question
APPEAL TO PITY
answer
\"What do you mean, 'we should reform the social security system'? Don't you care about those poor, lonely, old people, living on fixed incomes?\"
question
APPEAL TO PITY
answer
\"Well, it's true that I took the bribe, but it's not like I'm a criminal, because I had a drinking problem at the time.\"
question
APPEAL TO PITY
answer
\"No, we don't need an investigation of the director for the homeless shelter program. These charges about fraud and corruption are being made by people who have no idea how terrible it is to be cold and hungry on the street!\"
question
APPEAL TO IGNORANCE
answer
\"The Trilateral Commission, Europeanbankers, and international communists are plotting and planning to conquer the world. Sure you haven't heard about it--it's a secret conspiracy!\"
question
APPEAL TO IGNORANCE
answer
\"I support the Strategic Defense Initiative (Star Wars) program because I'm sure we can overcome any technical difficulties with it; it's only a matter of time until it's perfected. How do you know it won't be?\"
question
APPEAL TO IGNORANCE
answer
\"If the President was telling the truth, then why did he refuse to take a lie-detector test?\"
question
CIRCUMSTANTIAL AD HOMINEM
answer
\"Judge Rebel is an old born-and-raised Southerner, so I knew his ruling would not be fair.\"
question
CIRCUMSTANTIAL AD HOMINEM
answer
\"No, we shouldn't place women in combat, but I'm not surprised that you think that, since you're a woman.\"
question
CIRCUMSTANTIAL AD HOMINEM
answer
\"I don't agree with his campaign proposals--he's just a rich lawyer who thinks he can buy a legislative seat.\"
question
ABUSIVE AD HOMINEM
answer
\"I don't agree that Senator Fogbottom's tax plan will increase revenues, because he is a cowardly wimp who always gives in to pressure from stupid welfare activists.\"
question
ABUSIVE AD HOMINEM
answer
\"What does he know about infant malnutrition? From the size of his belly, I would guess he's never been hungry!\"
question
ABUSIVE AD HOMINEM
answer
\"Sure, I'll listen to your proposal for a state income tax--as soon as you learn how to balance your checkbook.\"
question
APPEAL TO FORCE
answer
\"If you don't vote for the Chair's bill, he will never let any of your bills out of his committee.\"
question
APPEAL TO FORCE
answer
\"Those terrorists better wise up and see things our way, if they don't want us to bomb them.\"
question
APPEAL TO FORCE
answer
\"The moral superiority of the Allied powers was proven by their victory over the Central Powers in WWI.\"
