LSS 2203 Critical Thinking

Fallacies Exercise
Exercise 1: Complete these to make hasty generalizations:
1. My English teacher doesnt speak Arabic. My Business teacher doesnt speak
Arabic. My General Studies teacher doesnt speak Arabic. None of the
teachers at this college.
Speak Arabic
2. When I was in holiday in Australia, my handbag was stolen. Australians.
Thieves
3. I tried 2 Lebanese cheeses yesterday. They were both salty. Lebanese
cheeses ...
Are salty
4. My favourite teacher at school was from Egypt. My favourite teacher at
college is from Egypt. The best teachers are.
From egypt
5. An Emirati family was attacked in their hotel in London. Staying in a hotel in
London is.
Dangerous
6. My sister was bitten by a dog last year. My brother was chased by a dog last
week. Dogs.
Are aggressive
7. My father, my brother and my uncle smoke. All Emirati men..
Smoke
8. I saw two cats fighting yesterday. Cats.
Are aggressive.

Exercise 2: Decide if these arguments are ad hominem (against the

person):
1. A: Obesity is a serious problem in the UAE. I think the government should
raise the prices of sugary and junk food.
B: Youre only saying that because youre thin. It would be better to make
gyms free for everyone. Against the person.
2. A: Parents should never hit their children.
B: Thats easy for you to say. I disagree. You dont have any children.
Against the person.
3. A: I think Emirati women should be allowed to marry non-Emirati men.
B: Maybe it seems strange that Emirati women are not allowed to marry
foreign men when Emirati men can marry foreign women. Not against the
person.
4. A: I believe that smoking should be banned in the UAE.
B: Thats because youre a non-smoker. Lots of people enjoy smoking. Yes.

Maureen Szulczewski

LSS 2203/ 2015

LSS 2203 Critical Thinking

5. A: I think the speed limit should be reduced to 80kph on Sheikh Zayed Road.
B: Hmm recent research shows that texting while driving causes more
accidents than speeding. Not against the person.

Exercise 3: Complete these to make examples of the false cause fallacy.

1. I always fail my exams if I wear blue socks. Therefore blue socks cause
failure.
2. My uncle smokes cigarettes. My uncle never gets sick. Therefore smoking
boosts the immune system.
3. My friend usually has lunch at home. Yesterday she had lunch in the cafeteria.
Today shes off sick. Therefore the cafeteria food makes people sick.
4. I wore my red dress yesterday afternoon. I won a prize at Global Village
yesterday evening. Therefore red dresses bring good luck.
5. When it was dark, a thief came into the house and stole some money.
Therefore thieves always steal at night.
6. My uncle is very rich. My uncle is a nasty, mean person. Therefore all rich
people are mean.

7. My neighbor is very poor. She is always kind to children and animals.

Therefore all poor people are kind.
8.

Ali and Mohammed had a big fight. Ali was very angry with Mohammed and
shouted at him. Later that day Mohammed had a heart attack and died.
Therefore arguments cause heart attacks.

Maureen Szulczewski

LSS 2203/ 2015