English 10H Logical Fallacy Quiz

"Either...or" Fallacy --Example

--Either learn how to program a computer, or you won't be able to get a decent job after college.

Bandwagon Appeal (*Ad Populum*) --Definition

A claim that an idea should be accepted because a large number of people favor it or believe it to be true.

Non Sequitur (Does Not Follow) --Definition

A conclusion that does not follow logically from preceding statements or that is based on irrelevant data.

Hasty Generalization --Definition

A generalization based on insufficient or unrepresented evidence

Undistributed Middle --Example

All whales have hair. All humans have hair. All whales are human. (The middle term (Human) does not fit into both categories (Whales and Hair)).

Pity (*Ad Misericordiam*) --Definition

An appeal to accept the truth of a conclusion out of pity for the arguer or some third party. Either the arguer (or someone else) is already an object of pity, or they will become one if the conclusion is not accepted.

Circular Reasoning/Begging the Question (Unsupported Assertion) --Definition

An argument in which the writer, instead of applying evidence simply restates the point in other language.

Red Herring --Definition

An argument that focuses on an irrelevant issue to detract attention from the real issue.

Argument to the Person (*Ad Hominem*) --Definition

An attack on the person proposing an argument rather than on the argument itself.

Undistributed Middle --Definition

An error in deductive reasoning in which the parts of a premise may, or may not, overlap. The middle term is undistributed in that all instances of a conclusion are also instances of the premise.

Force and Fear (*Ad Baculum*) --Definition

Committed whenever the proponent of an argument attempts to persuade the audience to accept the conclusion... by predicting (or causing) unpleasant consequences if it is not accepted.

Appeal to Celebrity/ Authority (*Ad Verecundiam*) --Definition

Consists of an appeal to irrelevant authority, that is, an 'authority' who is not an authority in the field of question (or at least one we have no reason to believe to be such an authority).

Hasty Generalization --Example

Deaths from drug overdoses in Metropolis have doubled over the last three years. Therefore, more Americans than ever are dying from drug abuse.

Bandwagon Appeal (*Ad Populum*) --Example

Everyone knows that smoking marijuana is physically addictive and psychologically harmful.

Pity (*Ad Misericordiam*) --Example

If I don't get at least a B in this course my GPA will drop below 2.0. If that happens I'll lose my scholarship and have to quit school, so I ought to get a B in this course.

False Analogy --Example

If we put humans on the moon, we should be able to find a cure for the common cold.

Non Sequitur (Does Not Follow) --Example

Mary loves children, so she will make an excellent school teacher.

Non-Disproof --Example

No one has ever shown that it is impossible that the stars rule our lives; therefore, astrology is true.

Non-Disproof --Definition

One sometimes encounters arguments that some claim should be accepted because they have never been disproved. The move from 'not disproved' to 'proved' is invalid.

Appeal to Celebrity/ Authority (*Ad Verecundiam*) --Example

Oprah says that she won't eat beef, therefore you shouldn't eat beef.

Red Herring --Example

Reporters are out to get the president, so it's no wonder we are hearing rumors about these scandals.

Argument to the Person (*Ad Hominem*) --Example

Senator Jones was a conscientious objector during the Vietnam War, so his proposal to limit military spending has no merit.

False Cause (*Post Hoc*, Coincidence vs. Causality) --Example

Since Governor Smith took office, unemployment for minorities in the state has decreased by seven percent. Governor Smith should be applauded for reducing unemployment among minorities.

Circular Reasoning/Begging the Question (Unsupported Assertion) --Example

Students should not be allowed to park in lots now reserved for faculty because those lots should be for faculty only.

False Cause (*Post Hoc*, Coincidence vs. Causality) --Definition

The assumption that because one event follows another, the first is the cause of the second.

False Analogy --Definition

The assumption that because two things are alike in some respects, they are alike in others.

"Either...or" Fallacy --Definition

The suggestion that only two alternatives exist when in fact there are more.

Force and Fear (*Ad Baculum*) --Example

You ought to vote for Senator Gulch, because if you don't, you'll become impoverished.