PHL 101 Exam 4- Ch5
Identify the errorsin the following reasoning: Rose Strauss to Scott Wagner: You've said that climate change is a result of people's body heat, and are refusing to take action on the issue. Does this have anything to do with the $200,000 that you have taken from the fossil fuel industry? Scott Wagner to Rose Strauss: Well, I appreciate you being here. You're 18 years old. You know, you're a little young and naive. But are we here to elect a governor or elect a scientist? OK? I'm here to be the governor. I appreciate - and I understand - the question...I'm more interested in the sewage that's going into the Susquehanna River. Note:Part of Strauss's question is problematic, but please focus your analysis and evaluation on Wagner's response. This is part of a transcript of an actual exchange between the college student and the candidate.
Ad Hominem Abusive and Red Herring
Identify the error in the following reasoning:I am positive that I will become the winner of the Mega-Jackpot lottery this Friday. I called Miss Cleo, the famous fortune-teller, this morning and she told me that I would win.
Appeal to Authority
Identify the error in the following reasoning: Massachusetts Senator, Elizabeth Warren, claims she has American Indian bloodlines. You can't believe her, however, since she hasn't offered any proof that her claim is true.
Appeal to Ignorance
Identify the errorsin the following reasoning: Listen, everyone! No one has proven that the majestic nation of Rusbovia meddled in our last election. I mean, I don't believe it, and you shouldn't, either. You can't believe anything the press says about it. They're out to get me, which should be obvious from all the terrible lies they put out there. In fact, there's a story coming out about me that is so full of lies, I'm telling you right now, if you read that garbage, you shouldn't believe a word of it!
Appeal to Ignorance and Poisoning the Well
1. Identify the error in the following reasoning: When my friends and I headed up to Boston last weekend, we drove around for an hour looking for a place to park. Eventually, when we were on Boylston St., we saw a sign that said 'Fine for parking here anytime.' "Hey, look!" one of my friends called out. "Let's park there. After all the sign says it's fine to park there anytime." We parked there the whole day.
Equivocation
Identify the error in the following reasoning:The day before yesterday, Gwinnie walked under a ladder. Yesterday, Gwinnie was fired from a really great job. This morning, Gwinnie was unceremoniously dumped after being in a serious relationship for four years. Poor Gwinnie should never have walked under that ladder!
False Cause
Identify the error in the following reasoning: This fiscal year, our administration must cut education funding or live with a huge deficit. Obviously, we can't live with a huge deficit. Therefore, we'll have to cut education funding this year.
False Dichotomy
Identify the errorsin the following reasoning: Those Republicans are all alike. They're crazy right-wingers, total fascists, and major racists and misogynists. Why, just the other day, I met a Republican who thinks any gun control is a threat to the Second Amendment. He told me that he wants to see the existing gun laws enforced, but doesn't want more gun laws on the books. What more proof do you need?
Hasty Generalization and Straw Man
Identify the error in the following reasoning: Wow. I can't believe Rhode Island started offering free community college to eligible citizens. Pretty soon, the state is going to start mandating that all higher education be tuition-free. Then we'll have to start providing these kids with cars and free gas. Then it'll be medical care, then housing. Nobody will have to pay for anything, and the whole state will go broke. We'd better pass a law rescinding that free tuition to community colleges.
Slippery Slope
Identify the errorsSenator Talksalot commits in the following exchange: Person 1: Senator Talksalot supports eliminating legal protections for endangered species, arguing that these protections create unreasonable obstacles for businesses. For example, the Senator opposed protections for marine life, because he said it would negatively impact commercial fishing businesses. I disagree that we should privilege business over protecting endangered species. In fact, it's not an either-or proposition — we can protect threatened species and all wild and marine life without forcing businesses into bankruptcy. Senator Talksalot: My opponent thinks I hate animals, but that's just not true! I love animals. In fact, my family and I have always had rescue pets — we call them our fur babies, you know, because they're part of our family. I also volunteer at the local shelter.
Straw Man and Red Herring
