Question 1

None of Mr. Konrad's friends has ever seen him smoke a cigarette, cigar, or pipe. Therefore, probably Mr. Konrad is a nonsmoker.
A) Appeal to ignorance.
B) Complex question.
C) No fallacy.
D) Appeal to unqualified authority.
E) Straw man.

Accepted Answer

This is a logical inference based on observation and does not involve any fallacy.

Question 2

Bill, I saw you at the party the other night. You were with a beautiful redhead. Level with me, are you still cheating on your wife?
A) Begging the question.
B) Tu quoque (you, too).
C) Complex question.
D) Division.
E) No fallacy.

Accepted Answer

The question assumes that Bill was cheating on his wife without any evidence to back it up. It also asks a complex question by implying that Bill was cheating without directly accusing him, which puts him in a difficult position to answer.

Question 3

After getting settled in your new job, you will want to buy a home in the Woodland district. Woodland is true prestige, and all of our upscale employees live there.
A) Argument against the person, circumstantial.
B) No fallacy.
C) Appeal to the people.
D) Red herring.
E) Appeal to force.

Accepted Answer

The statement uses the appeal to the people fallacy by suggesting that because all upscale employees live in the Woodland district, one should also want to live there to fit in or be considered upscale. It leverages social pressure rather than logical reasons for choosing a home in that area.

Question 4

Lake Michigan contains fish. Therefore, every cubic foot of lake Michigan contains fish.
A) Division.
B) Accident.
C) No fallacy.
D) Composition.
E) Missing the point.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of the division fallacy, which occurs when one incorrectly assumes that what is true of a whole must also be true of its parts. Just because Lake Michigan contains fish does not mean every cubic foot of it contains fish.

Question 5

During the four years that Allison has been president of the Westridge Retirement Club, five members have contracted diabetes. Therefore, to prevent any more cases of this disease we must elect a new president immediately.
A) Begging the question.
B) False cause.
C) Accident.
D) Slippery slope.
E) No fallacy.

Accepted Answer

The argument presents a causal link between the presidency of Allison and the occurrence of diabetes in members, without providing any evidence that one caused the other. This is a classic example of the false cause fallacy. Additionally, the argument uses scare tactics, insinuating that more members will contract the disease if the status quo is maintained, without providing any evidence for this claim either.

Question 6

Either you enlist in the Marine Corps or you'll be a baby for the rest of your life. The choice is yours.
A) Composition.
B) Appeal to force.
C) Suppressed evidence.
D) False dichotomy.
E) No fallacy.

Accepted Answer

The statement presents a false dichotomy, suggesting that there are only two options available and ignoring any other possibilities. The reality is that there are many potential paths one can take besides enlisting in the Marines or remaining a "baby," so the argument is flawed.

Question 7

Movie star Glitzy Glamour says in magazine ads that Sparkle cosmetics are fabulous. Given Glitzy's incredible popularity, we must conclude that Sparkle cosmetics are indeed fabulous, just as she says.
A) No fallacy.
B) Missing the point.
C) Appeal to the people.
D) Appeal to unqualified authority.
E) Appeal to ignorance.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of an appeal to unqualified authority because Glitzy Glamour is a movie star and not an expert in cosmetics. Just because she says Sparkle cosmetics are fabulous, it does not necessarily mean that they are.

Question 8

United States Marshals are allowed to carry loaded guns in the courtroom. But attorneys are officers of the court, no less than U.S. Marshals. Therefore, attorneys are allowed to carry loaded guns in the courtroom.
A) Weak analogy.
B) No fallacy.
C) Appeal to unqualified authority.
D) Hasty generalization.
E) Equivocation.

Accepted Answer

This argument commits the fallacy of weak analogy, as it attempts to analogize the permission for U.S. Marshals to carry loaded guns in court with the permission for attorneys to do so based solely on their status as officers of the court. However, there are significant differences between the roles and responsibilities of U.S. Marshals and attorneys in the courtroom that make the analogy weak and unreliable.

Question 9

The FBI and the CIA failed to prevent the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. Therefore, these government agencies should be abolished immediately.
A) Missing the point.
B) Red herring.
C) False cause.
D) No fallacy.
E) Hasty generalization.

Accepted Answer

The argument misses the point by suggesting that the failure to prevent a specific event (the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center) means that the agencies should be abolished, without addressing the broader roles and successes of these agencies.

Question 10

Betty's argument for changing the voting age is ridiculous. Betty dropped out of school after the seventh grade, and the most responsible job she has ever held is working as a clerk in a grocery store.
A) Appeal to unqualified authority.
B) Hasty generalization.
C) No fallacy.
D) Argument against the person, circumstantial.
E) Argument against the person, abusive.

Accepted Answer

The argument attacks Betty's character and background rather than addressing the merits of her argument, which is an abusive ad hominem fallacy.

Question 11

It would not be a good idea to hire Mr. Larson as a bus driver for the school district. Larson has huge cataracts in both eyes, and he hates children.
A) Argument against the person, abusive.
B) No fallacy.
C) Tu quoque (you, too).
D) False cause.
E) Division.

Accepted Answer

The argument is based on relevant reasons: Mr. Larson's cataracts could impair his ability to drive safely, and his dislike for children could affect his performance as a school bus driver.

Question 12

The last three times I invested money in the stock market, stock prices declined. Therefore, to prevent further declines, I must stop investing any more money.
A) Missing the point.
B) No fallacy.
C) Straw man.
D) False cause.
E) Amphiboly.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of the false cause fallacy as the assumption that the author's investments caused the market to decline is unfounded. The stock market is affected by a multitude of factors beyond an individual's investment decisions.

Question 13

Stem cell research is clearly immoral because any activity that destroys human beings is immoral.
A) Complex question.
B) Appeal to the people.
C) No fallacy.
D) Appeal to ignorance.
E) Begging the question.

Accepted Answer

The statement is an example of begging the question or circular reasoning. It assumes the conclusion of the argument (that stem cell research is immoral) without providing any justification for why this is the case. The statement uses the term "human beings" without defining what that means or differentiating between different types of cells.

Question 14

Barbara argues that we should develop fuel cell cars that run more efficiently with less pollution. But look at what Barbara drives. It's one of those gas guzzling SUVs that pollute like a steam locomotive. Obviously Barbara's argument is worthless.
A) No fallacy.
B) Missing the point.
C) Appeal to unqualified authority.
D) Tu quoque (you, too).
E) Argument against the person, circumstantial.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of the tu quoque fallacy, which means "you, too" in Latin. It is a fallacy of diversionary tactic that avoids the key argument by attacking the arguer personally. In this case, rather than addressing Barbara's argument on its own merits, the speaker attacks her for not practicing what she preaches.

Question 15

Jason is a terrible chess player. But every chess player is a human being. Therefore, Jason is a terrible human being.
A) Division.
B) Equivocation.
C) Amphiboly.
D) No fallacy.
E) Argument against the person, abusive.

Accepted Answer

The argument commits the fallacy of equivocation by using two different meanings of the term "human being." Just because Jason is bad at chess does not mean he is a bad person.

Question 16

Frank argues that it's not a good idea for underage people to drink alcoholic beverages. Apparently Frank wants everyone to be a teetotaler. Bring back prohibition for good-that's what Frank wants. But prohibition was a complete failure in the thirties. Obviously Frank's argument is misguided.
A) Accident.
B) Begging the question.
C) No fallacy.
D) Hasty generalization.
E) Straw man.

Accepted Answer

Frank's argument is a straw man fallacy because he is misrepresenting the opposing argument (that underage people should not drink alcohol) as an extreme position that wants to bring back prohibition.

Question 17

The first rule of good behavior is always be yourself. Therefore, professional actors, who adopt the role of someone other than themselves, are behaving improperly.
A) No fallacy.
B) Begging the question.
C) Tu quoque (you, too).
D) Weak analogy.
E) Accident.

Accepted Answer

The argument commits the fallacy of accident by applying a general rule (always be yourself) to a specific situation (acting) where the rule may not be intended to apply. Acting professionally involves adopting roles as part of the job, which doesn't necessarily equate to improper behavior.

Question 18

People don't have to go to college to make a lot of money. Look at Richard Branson, Chairman of the Virgin Group. He's a billionaire, yet he was a terrible student, and he dropped out of school when he was sixteen.
A) False dichotomy.
B) Hasty generalization.
C) Argument against the person, circumstantial.
D) No fallacy.
E) Weak analogy.

Accepted Answer

This is a hasty generalization because it uses one example of a successful individual who did not attend college to make a broad generalization that people do not need to go to college to make a lot of money. This overlooks the countless other individuals who did attend college and became successful.

Question 19

During the past two hundred years no one has been cured of Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, it is unlikely that anyone will be cured in the next two hundred years.
A) Equivocation.
B) Amphiboly.
C) Suppressed evidence.
D) No fallacy.
E) Appeal to pity.

Accepted Answer

This argument commits the fallacy of suppressed evidence by only considering the lack of past cures for Alzheimer's disease and using that as evidence for why it is unlikely to find a cure in the future. However, this ignores the fact that scientific research and medical advancements have greatly advanced in the past two hundred years, and that new breakthroughs and treatments for diseases are being discovered all the time. Therefore, the argument is flawed because it fails to consider all the available evidence and is based on an incomplete understanding of the progress made in the field of medicine.

Question 20

Every thread in this shirt is pure silk. Therefore, this shirt is pure silk.
A) No fallacy.
B) Division.
C) Accident.
D) Composition.
E) Weak analogy.

Accepted Answer

This is a valid deductive argument using the principle of composition. If every part of the shirt (the threads) is made of pure silk, then the whole shirt must be made of pure silk. There is no fallacy, division, accident, or weak analogy in this argument.

Quiz 3: Informal Fallacies

None of Mr. Konrad's friends has ever seen him smoke a cigarette, cigar, or pipe. Therefore, probably Mr. Konrad is a nonsmoker.

Bill, I saw you at the party the other night. You were with a beautiful redhead. Level with me, are you still cheating on your wife?

After getting settled in your new job, you will want to buy a home in the Woodland district. Woodland is true prestige, and all of our upscale employees live there.

Lake Michigan contains fish. Therefore, every cubic foot of lake Michigan contains fish.

During the four years that Allison has been president of the Westridge Retirement Club, five members have contracted diabetes. Therefore, to prevent any more cases of this disease we must elect a new president immediately.

Either you enlist in the Marine Corps or you'll be a baby for the rest of your life. The choice is yours.

Movie star Glitzy Glamour says in magazine ads that Sparkle cosmetics are fabulous. Given Glitzy's incredible popularity, we must conclude that Sparkle cosmetics are indeed fabulous, just as she says.

United States Marshals are allowed to carry loaded guns in the courtroom. But attorneys are officers of the court, no less than U.S. Marshals. Therefore, attorneys are allowed to carry loaded guns in the courtroom.

The FBI and the CIA failed to prevent the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. Therefore, these government agencies should be abolished immediately.

Betty's argument for changing the voting age is ridiculous. Betty dropped out of school after the seventh grade, and the most responsible job she has ever held is working as a clerk in a grocery store.

It would not be a good idea to hire Mr. Larson as a bus driver for the school district. Larson has huge cataracts in both eyes, and he hates children.

The last three times I invested money in the stock market, stock prices declined. Therefore, to prevent further declines, I must stop investing any more money.

Stem cell research is clearly immoral because any activity that destroys human beings is immoral.

Barbara argues that we should develop fuel cell cars that run more efficiently with less pollution. But look at what Barbara drives. It's one of those gas guzzling SUVs that pollute like a steam locomotive. Obviously Barbara's argument is worthless.

Jason is a terrible chess player. But every chess player is a human being. Therefore, Jason is a terrible human being.

Frank argues that it's not a good idea for underage people to drink alcoholic beverages. Apparently Frank wants everyone to be a teetotaler. Bring back prohibition for good-that's what Frank wants. But prohibition was a complete failure in the thirties. Obviously Frank's argument is misguided.

The first rule of good behavior is always be yourself. Therefore, professional actors, who adopt the role of someone other than themselves, are behaving improperly.

People don't have to go to college to make a lot of money. Look at Richard Branson, Chairman of the Virgin Group. He's a billionaire, yet he was a terrible student, and he dropped out of school when he was sixteen.

During the past two hundred years no one has been cured of Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, it is unlikely that anyone will be cured in the next two hundred years.

Every thread in this shirt is pure silk. Therefore, this shirt is pure silk.