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Module 4: Fallacies
1. Fallacies of Relevance
What mistake!!!
Fallacies of Relevance Arguments in which the premises are logically irrelevant to the conclusion. Fallacies of Insufficient Evidence Arguments in which the premises, though logically relevant to the conclusion, fail to provide sufficient evidence for the conclusion.
if you get him off the thing he was educated in - Will Rogers
Personal Attack
Arguments in which the premises, though logically relevant to the conclusion, fail to provide sufficient evidence to support the conclusion.
Slippery Slope
Weak Analogy
Loaded Question
Inconsistency
Hasty Generalizations
Tips
Example: Yoda must exist. No one has proved that he doesnt exist.
Agree I do!
Remember
Not proven, therefore false If such reasoning were allowed, we could prove almost any conclusion.
Remember
Fallacy of false alternatives can involve more than two (2) alternatives. It can also be expressed as a conditional (if-then) statement.
Tip
To respond to a loaded question effectively, one must distinguish the different questions being asked and respond to each individually.
Pattern
Pattern
1. A biased sample is one that is not representative of the target population. 2. The target population is the group of people or things that the generalization is about. 3. Hasty generalizations can often lead to false stereotypes.
1. 2.
Pattern
3.
The arguer claims that if a certain seemingly harmless action, A, is permitted, A will lead to B, B will lead to C, and so on to D. The arguer holds that D is a terrible thing and therefore should not be permitted. In fact, there is no good reason to believe that A will actually lead to D.
Tip
1. List all important similarities between the two cases. 2. List all important dissimilarities between the two cases. 3. Decide whether the similarities or dissimilarities are more important.
4.2.9 Inconsistency
Inconsistency Asserting inconsistent or contradictory claims.
Example: Note found in a Forest Service Suggestion box: Park visitors need to know how important it is to keep this wilderness area completely pristine and undisturbed. So why not put up a few signs to remind people of this fact?
Remember
It is also a mistake to cling stubbornly to an old idea when new information suggests that the idea is false.
Which fallacy?
A) B) C) D) Questionable Cause Hasty Generalization Slippery Slope Weak Analogy
Which fallacy?
A) B) C) D) Inappropriate Appeal to Authority Appeal to Ignorance False Alternatives Loaded Question
Which fallacy?
A) B) C) D) Loaded Question Hasty Generalization Slippery Slope Weak Analogy
Group Activity
Break into groups of 4 - 6, and construct five (5) fallacious arguments. Each group can choose any of the 20 fallacies discussed, but must construct at least two fallacious arguments of each category: Fallacies of Relevance & Fallacies of Insufficient Evidence). The constructed fallacious arguments must discuss the topics specified in the template provided (Business, Education, Information Technology, Environment, and Tourism).
20 min 5 min Construct 5 fallacious arguments. Document constructed arguments into the template provided.
15 min
The Group leader must submit their findings in hard-copy or soft-copy format to the lecturer before or during the next class.
Personal Attack Attacking the Motive Look Whos Talking Two Wrongs Make a Right Scare Tactics Appeal to Pity Bandwagon Argument Straw Man Red Herring Equivocation Begging the Question
Inappropriate Appeal to Authority Appeal to Ignorance False Alternatives Loaded Question Questionable Cause
Hasty Generalization
Slippery Slope Weak Analogy Inconsistency
Any Questions?
The End
References
Book Chapter 5 (Logical Fallacies -1) & 6 (Logical Fallacies 2): G Bassham, W Irwin, H Nardone, J M Wallace, Critical Thinking: A Student's Introduction, McGraw-Hill International Edition, 2007 Online Resources Fallacies (The Nizkor Project): http://www.nizkor.org/features/fallacies/ Cool Optical Illusions: http://www.coolopticalillusions.com/
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