Critical thinking Ch 6 Moore Parker – Flashcards

mistake in reasoning argument that doesn't really support or prove the contention it is supposed to

aka Red Herring any fallacy that occurs when a speaker or writer attempts to support or prove a point by bringing up an irrelevant consideration Includes: Ad Hominem Straw Man Appeal to Emotion

A fallacy that attempts to dismiss someone's position by dismissing the person (rather than attacking the persons position) Ex: You are telling me not to drive and text b/c it is dangerous. Not only have I seen you drive and text, but last week you were saying it wasn't dangerous to do so. Ex: What do I think about the Presidents proposal for immigration reform? It's ridiculous. He just wants Latino votes. Ex: You can forget what Father Hennessy said about the dangers of abortion. He is a priest, and priests are required to hold such views.

Occurs when a speaker or writer attempts to dismiss what someone is *going* to say by talking about the person's character, or circumstances or consistency. Ex: You can forget about what Father Hennessy will say this evening about abortion, because he is a priest and priests are required to think that abortion is a mortal sin.

Occurs when a speaker or writer tries to persuade us to dismiss a belief by telling us that someone we don't like holds that belief Ex: You think waterboarding is torture? That sounds like something these left-wing professors would say.

occurs when a speaker or writer argues that the origin of a contention in and of itself render it false Ex: That idea is absurd. It's just something that the Tea Party put out there. Ex: Where on earth did you hear that? Talk Radio? Ex: God is just an idea people came up with way back before they had science.

Occurs when a speaker or writer attempts to dismiss a contention by distorting or misrepresenting it Ex: What do I think about outlawing large ammunition clips? I think the idea of disarming everyone is ridiculous and dangerous. Ex: *You:* Medical marijuana should be legal. *Your Friend:* Maybe you think everyone should go around stoned, but I think that is absurd.

All shades of grey are ignored; attempts to establish a point by suggesting it is the only alternative to something we will find unacceptable, unattainable or implausible. (given two examples, one is extreme) Ex: We either eliminate Social Security or the country will go bankrupt. Therefore, we should eliminate Social Security. Ex: Either we clean up the garage, or this junk will run us out of house and home.

occurs when a speaker or writer ignores options between perfection and nothing Ex: A single English course won't make anyone a great writer, so I don't see why we have to take one.

Occurs when a speaker or writer assumes that either a crystal clear line can be drawn between two things, or they cannot really be differentiated Ex: Poverty isn't a problem in this country; after all, when is a person really poor? You can't say exactly.

Occurs when a speaker or writer attempts to support or prove a point by trying to make us disprove it Ex: Obviously the President's birth certificate is a forgery. Can you prove it isn't? Ex: Guns should be outlawed. I bet you can't think of a single good reason they shouldn't.

Occurs when a speaker or writer argues that we should believe a claim because no one has proved it false Ex: Nobody has proved ghosts don't exist; therefore they do. (proof requires more than an absence of disproof)

Occurs when a speaker or writer attempts to "support" or "demonstrate" a contention by offering as "evidence" or "proof" what amounts to repackaging of the very contention in question Ex: Obviously the President told the truth about Benghazi. He wouldn't lie to us about it. Ex: That God exists is proven by scripture, because scripture is the word of God and thus cannot be false.

Occurs when a speaker or writer "supports" a contention by playing on our emotions rather than producing a real argument

appeal-to-emotion fallacy that occurs when a speaker or writer "supports" a contention by trying to make us angry rather than producing an argument Ex: Do you think Apple doesn't know it hires 12 year old children to make its electronics? You think it isn't aware it pays them slave wages and has them work in buildings without heat or air conditioning? It knows. Apple products can't be any good.

Occurs when a speaker or writer tries to scare us into accepting an irrelevant conclusion. Includes direct threats, which are sometimes called "arguments from force". Ex: Jerry Brown would make a terrible governor. Do you seriously think I could be interested in being your girlfriend if you voted for him? Ex: 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? Ex: Obviously the federal government must cut spending. You agree with the rest of us on that, I assume. (*Peer Pressure Fallacy*-playing on our fear of becoming an outcast)

Occurs when a speaker or writer "supports" a contention by playing on our sympathy rather than providing a real argument Ex: Jane is the best qualified candidate b/c she is out of work and desperately needs a job.

"supporting" argument by trying to flatter us

"supporting" argument by trying to make us feel guilty

"supporting" argument by trying to make us envious

"supporting" argument by trying to make us jealous

any relevance fallacy that does not fit comfortably into the categories already mentioned Ex: I don't think I missed to many classes to pass. My attendance has been much better lately.

Occurs when a speaker or writer thinks that the wrongfulness of a deed is erased by it being a response to another wrongful deed. Ex: Why should I tell them they undercharged me? You think they would tell me if they overcharged me?

Occurs when we forget that wanting something to be true is irrelevant to whether it is true Ex: I really really hope I will be the next American Idol. Therefore I will be.

Occurs when we forget that wanting something to be false is irrelevant to whether it is false Ex: I really really hope I did not miss class as much as the professor said I did. Therefore, I am sure I didn't miss class that many times.