Logic Quiz 2

While Jackson emphasized from the start that the disputed over whether to allow several black youth students in school, after they had caused a fight was about fairness and not race, some of the protesters Sunday noted that all of the board members who voted to expel the students were white and the only dissenting cote was from a black member.

Ad Hominem

"Senator Ribbit is a liar. You shouldn't listen to his opinion on anything"

Ad hominem

"I think the government should lower taxes. The government is spending too much money on welfare programs. The people on welfare are ruining our economy by making us give our hard-earned money to them. When most of them could go out and get a job and earn it themselves. When people are on welfare, it lowers productivity and hurts the economy."

Red Herring

"Now some in Congress believe the national government has no business helping communities improve their schools....But I think strengthening education is a national priority"

Red Herring

"Taking drugs can't be bad. There are lots of people who enjoy it"

Red Herring

"Why should I study math? I don't want to be a math teacher"

Red Herring

Bert: I heard that Joseph Stalin was an evil, cruel man who stopped at nothing to gain power over Europe during WWII. Jenny: What! Without the help of Stalin, we couldn't have beaten the Germans.

Red Herring

Bert: This encyclopedia says Columbus discovered America in 1492. Jenny: The one I have says he discovered America in 1924. How many volumes are in your encyclopedia? Bert: Four. Jenny: Well, that proves it. Mine has eighteen. Mine must be right.

Red Herring

Grizzly bears can't be dangerous to humans-they look too cute

Red Herring

In response to someone's comment that the military is overcommitted and under resourced and worse off today that is was eight years ago, Senator Lieberman said, "Most important, I want to assure the American people the American military is the best-trained, best-equipped, most powerful force in the world, and that Al Gore and I will do whatever it takes to keep them that way.

Red Herring

Jenny: Girls are much smarter than boys Bert: Oh yeah. How do you know that? Jenny: Because they just are Bert: But how do you know it? Jenny: There are lots of girls who have done lots of smart things. Our neighbor, Mrs. Jones is pretty smart; Joan of Arc saved the French from the English; and Madame Curie invented the light bulb. Bert: How do you know they are smarter than boys? Jenny: Because there are many girls who have higher IQ's . That makes them smarter. Bert: You still haven't answered my question. Why are girls smarter than boys? Jenny: Well, I'm smart and you're dumb. That proves it.

Red Herring

Jenny: I think all wars are evil. They are just about killing and we shouldn't get involved with them. Bert: Do you think war is wrong even if our country is being invaded? Jenny: That's impossible. Our country will never be invaded. We are friends with Canada, Mexico would never think of it, and nobody could go all the way across the ocean. Bert: Ah, but you're wrong. Our country was invaded in 1941 when Pearl Harbor was attacked. Jenny:But Pearl Harbor was a naval base at that time, and not a state.

Red Herring

Jenny: What's that? Bert: An Oud. It's a fret less stringed instrument from the Middle East. Jenny: Can you play it? Bert: Professional Oud players can make lots of money.

Red Herring

Mom: Did you take out the trash, Bert? Bert: Why are you always suspecting me of things?

Red Herring

Porcupines make good pets. Studies show owning a pet makes children happy.

Red Herring

Presidential candidate when asked whether he ever used drugs: No, I have never touched the stuff in my life.

Red Herring

Presidential candidate when asked whether he'd name a running mate who was opposed to abortion: It would be incredibly presumptive for someone who has yet to earn his party's nomination to be picking vice president. However, the main criterion O would use in choosing a running mate would be whether the person was capable of being president.

Red Herring

Sparkledent is great for reducing cavities. Dentists say cavities are the number one dental problem in America

Red Herring

"Can I be next in the bathroom? I have to curl my hair, but you're just going to take a shower"

Special Pleading

Grandma: I'm not gambling! This is Bingo, not poker. It's different. We're not using a deck of cards.

Special Pleading

Grandson: Grandma, can I have more money for my birthday? You gave $20 to Johnny. I'm two years older. You should give me $22.

Special Pleading

Hannah: Friend Charity, thee is picking flowers! Thee is working on the Lord's Day! Thee scolded me for knitting in meeting last Lord's Day. Charity: Thee is being silly, friend Hannah. Knitting is hard work; but these flowers are for a friend Prudence's birthday.

Special Pleading

Rich woman to her cleaning maid: I know you think I shouldn't spend millions on my antique hat collection and should give this money to the poor instead. But being rich is hard. It's just something you'll never understand.

Special Pleading

Sister: You're tracking mud in the house again! Why do you think youre an exception? Brother: I won't do it next time. But this time I forgot my keys and I'm in a hurry.

Special Pleading

War Historian: During WWII, the Nazis used torture, such as beating an electric shocks, to get members of the French resistance to divulge how they planned to attack the Germans. U.S. Army Sergeant: But wouldn't you agree we need to use "extreme interrogation techniques" to get terrorists to tell us their plans? Otherwise, they might kill thousands if people, like in NY on September 11th.

Special Pleading

Dog breeder: My puppies cost $1,200 each. Customer: Could you reduce the cost of your puppies for $500 for me? I only want to find a furry friend to love me.

Special pleading

I don't see what right you have to questions where I get my money for my campaigns. Wasn't it you, four years ago, who became entangled in a big scandal where twenty-three congressmen were caught laundering money through congressional post office?

Tu Quoque

I hear all these environmentalists talking about how we should save the environment and all that. It seems kind of ridiculous to me. These same people go to the grocery store and put their groceries in plastic bags, they have houses made out of wood, and they drive gas-guzzling cars. I think they're ridiculous."

Tu Quoque

"Can I be next in the bathroom? I have to go bad"

none

Miss: I don't want to get engaged. Mr.: Things were going so well! Miss: I heard your dad was in prison when you were born. I don't want to be married to someone whose family was into illegal activities.

none

Sister: You're tracking mud in the house! Why do you think you're always an exception to the rule about... Brother: Quick! Where's the phone! I have to call 911! A skydiver fell in our tree and I think he's hurt!

none

"How can deforestation be bad when there are many uses for wood?"

Red Herring

Only those who are chronically obese would oppose dietary restrictions

Ad Hominem

The fashions in London come straight from Paris, and the fashions in Paris come straight from Hades

None

"I know everybody thinks Einstein's theory of relativity is correct, but I can't accept it. Einstein didn't comb his hair"

Ad Hominem

"Mr. Jones has some good-sounding ideas. His idea of reducing costs while increasing output sounds promising. However, did you know that Mr. Jones was an alcoholic before he came to work with us?"

Ad Hominem

"Senator A has given us reasons for increasing the pay for military personnel. But we all know that Senator A has three sons who are in the military, so his family would benefit greatly if their pay was increased.

Ad Hominem

"We all know Senator Ribbet's view on the war. But what about that incident where he got drunk, crashed his car, and ended up killing somebody? in light of that, how can we listen to his views?"

Ad Hominem

Distinguished senator A: I am in favor of the federal government building a dam over the Watchichokieharchie River. I think it would help agriculture in the region, which would benefit this country's economy greatly. Distinguished Senator B: That is fine for you to say. The Watchichokiehatchie River is located in your state, and if this bill goes through and the dam is built, then you will probably be reelected next term.

Ad Hominem

I think I heard that the new famous author O. Henry was in prison once. I don't think I'm going to read any more of his books

Ad Hominem

Jenny: My uncle says that Robert E. Lee was a good, honest man. Sylvia: Doesn't your uncle come from Alabama? That's in the south. I don't think we need to give much weight to your uncle's arguments if he is from the South. He is obviously biased.

Ad Hominem

Jenny: The American Revolution was on of the highest points in American history. In that time period, great strides wee taken in the development of just government. Clyde: Naw, it wasn't. I heard George Washington owned slaves.

Ad Hominem

Mrs. A: I'm going through a logic book with my kids, it's called the Fallacy Detective. I really like it. Mrs. B: Aw, the authors of that book are a bunch of home schoolers, what do they know about logic?

Ad Hominem

"Good grief! You're thirty-five years old and you still believe in Santa Claus? You only believe that because you fell down a well when you were three and haven't recovered since"

Genetic

"Our earliest human ancestors had fears. They had fears of accidents happening to them, of becoming sick and dying, and of being harmed by rival tribes. As a result, certain persons within a tribe would claim they had powers to protect others from these dangers. They had certain spells and incantations which they said would protect people from harm. This belief, over the course of history, developed into the belief in gods. I see no reason to believe there is a God, since this belief only came from our desires to stop worrying."

Genetic

"That church cannot possibly be good. It was formed by an unregenerate heretic"

Genetic

"You disagree with the idea of women in the military just because of your upbringing"

Genetic

Bert: I've been reading this really good book about logical fallacies. It's about recognizing bad reasoning. Sylvia: You're reading that book? Logic is evil. Logic came out of Ancient Greece, and ancient Greece was pagan.

Genetic

Jenny: I think capital punishment is wrong. We should never put people to death. Clyde: Ah. The only reason why you disagree with capital punishment is because you were abused as a child and have never gotten over it.

Genetic

"I never met a man I didn't like"

None

"I think that the government should raise taxes. It doesn't have enough money to spend on the programs which the American people need. The only way for the government to get enough money is to raise taxes."

None

"My cousin says he is getting a real race car for his birthday. He says it can go 298 miles per hour. I don't believe him. He lies about everything"

None

"My opponent cannot be trusted when he says he has had no illegal contributions to his campaign. Last term, he was caught lying on several occasions."

None

"People should make and effort to read a book a month because reading books will build their minds and their vocabulary. Building the mind and vocabulary is a good thing.

None

"Senator Ribbit is a liar. You can't believe him when he tells you something"

None

"You can tell a lot about a fellow's character by his way of eating jelly beans"-Ronald Reagan

None

I think Joseph Stalin was a dirty rotten scoundrel. I heard that he murdered his wife. It wouldn't surprise me, from what other things I have heard about him.

None

Presidential candidate when asked whether he ever cheated on a test in school: I don't think that is any of your business. I don't think I have to answer questions like that, so I am not going to say.

None

Son: Why can't I go see the movie The Day of the Spiders with my friends? Dad: Because it's a scary movie, and you shouldn't see scary movies when you are this young.

None