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Identifying Fallacies

Identifying Fallacies. FYE 101 Also see pp. 175-177 in the St. Martin’s Handbook. Ad Hominem. Person A makes claim X. Person B makes an attack on person A. Therefore A's claim is false. For example:

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Identifying Fallacies

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  1. Identifying Fallacies FYE 101Also see pp. 175-177 in the St. Martin’s Handbook

  2. Ad Hominem • Person A makes claim X. Person B makes an attack on person A. Therefore A's claim is false. • For example: Although Ms. Bell’s book on Joe DiMaggio was well researched, I doubt that an Australian historian can contribute much to our knowledge of an American baseball player.

  3. You Too Fallacy • Person A makes claim X. Person B asserts that A's actions or past claims are inconsistent with the truth of claim X. Therefore X is false. • Example: • Sunera: I think there should be a way for illegal immigrants to obtain citizenship. • Barbara: But you just said the opposite last month, so you must be wrong now.

  4. Appeal to Authority • Person A is (claimed to be) an authority on subject S. Person A makes claim C about subject S. Therefore, C is true. • Example: • Obama is a Muslim who was born somewhere in Africa who wants to turn America into a Nazi-like state. [This author is a citizen of Shreveport]

  5. Appeal to Belief • Most people believe that a claim, X, is true. Therefore X is true. • Example: • Most people believe the United States is a Christian Nation. • Therefore, the United States is a Christian Nation.

  6. Appeal to Common Practice • X is a common action. Therefore X is correct/moral/justified/reasonable, etc. • Example: • Most men view women as sex objects so there must not be anything wrong with it; I guess guys are just wired that way.

  7. Appeal to Emotion • Favorable emotions are associated with X. Therefore, X is true. • Example: • Heaven is a beautiful place where one is reunited with departed love ones and lives an eternity of happiness. Therefore, heaven exists.

  8. Appeal to Fear • Y is presented (a claim that is intended to produce fear). Therefore claim X is true (a claim that is generally, but need not be, related to Y in some manner). • Example: • Do not “double dip” your chip in the salsa. You could contract AIDS that way. [An actual statement from a former staff member of Student Life at Centenary]

  9. Appeal to Flattery • Person A is flattered by person B. Person B makes claim X. Therefore X is true. • Example: • Sam: Dr. Otto, you are the best teacher I have ever encountered. • Dr. Otto. Thanks, Sam. • Sam: Just between us, I think Dr. Mackie does not know anything in his discipline. • Dr. Otto. Probably so! [Disclaimer: Actually this conversation never took place]

  10. Appeal to Novelty • X is new. Therefore X is correct or better. • Example: • The Iphone 6 is the latest in technology. • Therefore the Iphone 6 is the best cell phone on the market. • I must have an Iphone 6 now!

  11. Appeal to Pity • P is presented, with the intent to create pity. Therefore claim C is true. • Example: • Sunera: Thomas is the worst of the candidates we have interviewed. • Laura: But Thomas was nervous because he has been unemployed for several months and really needs the job to feed his family and feel like the head of the household again. • Sunera: Well, on second thought, I guess Thomas would do ok in the position.

  12. Appeal to Ridicule • X, which is some form of ridicule is presented (typically directed at the claim). Therefore claim C is false. • Example: • Same-sex marriage? Not until the Bible is written to say “Adam and Steve” rather than “Adam and Eve” Ha-Ha!

  13. Appeal to Spite • Claim X is presented with the intent of generating spite. Therefore claim C is false (or true) • Example: • Sunera: I think John’s idea about our final exam in FYE is a good one. • Clyde: Oh, is this the same John who I heard called you a *%$#@ biach at the KA house last weekend? • Sunera: What??? Then John can take his idea and shove it!

  14. Appeal to Tradition • X is old or traditional therefore X is correct or better. The “We have always done it that way” fallacy. • Example: • Shandra: What! No catfish in the cafeteria on Friday? We have always had “Catfish Friday” at Centenary!

  15. Appeal to Peer Pressure • Person P is pressured by his/her peers or threatened with rejection. Therefore person P's claim X is false. • Example: • Sunera: I think that persons of all religious convictions should be shown respect. • Jackson: Well, Sunera, I guess you are not a God-fearing Christian like the rest of us. We sure will miss you here. • Sunera: Ha-Ha! Only joking! I know they will all burn in Hell!! Yay!

  16. Begging the Question • Premises in which the truth of the conclusion is claimed or the truth of the conclusion is assumed (either directly or indirectly). Claim C (the conclusion) is true. Also known as a circular argument. • Example: • Sunera: How do you know God exists? • Evan: Because the Bible says so. • Sunera: But why should I believe the Bible? • Evan: Because God wrote it.

  17. Burden of Proof • Claim X is presented by side A and the burden of proof actually rests on side B. Side B claims that X is false because there is no proof for X. • Example: • Sunera: I believe in reincarnation. • Tommy: But where is your proof? • Sunera: Tommy, nobody has yet to prove that reincarnation does not occur!

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