Question 1

Gold Medallion wine is the finest wine in the United States. This is true because it's preferred by more people of discriminating taste. Furthermore, we know that it's preferred by more people of discriminating taste because it's the finest wine in the United States.
A) Suppressed evidence.
B) Slippery slope.
C) Missing the point.
D) False cause.
E) Begging the question.

Accepted Answer

The argument is circular, assuming as true the very thing it is trying to prove - that Gold Medallion wine is the finest in the United States. This is a form of begging the question fallacy.

Question 2

Stealing is wrong. Therefore, it would be wrong for me to steal the spark plug wires from that getaway car while the driver is busy robbing the First National Bank.
A) Hasty generalization.
B) Accident.
C) Appeal to pity.
D) Division.
E) Weak analogy.

Accepted Answer

The statement commits the fallacy of accident by applying a general rule (stealing is wrong) to a specific case where the application might not be appropriate due to exceptional circumstances (preventing a crime).

Question 3

Aspirin is a drug that relieves pain, and it is appropriately purchased over the counter. Morphine, like aspirin, is a drug that relieves pain. Therefore, it would be appropriate that morphine be available over the counter.
A) Weak analogy.
B) Appeal to pity.
C) Appeal to ignorance.
D) No fallacy.
E) Appeal to unqualified authority.

Accepted Answer

This is a weak analogy fallacy because although both aspirin and morphine relieve pain, they are vastly different in terms of their strength, potential for addiction, and harmful side effects. Aspirin is generally safe for most people to take whereas morphine requires a doctor's prescription and must be closely monitored due to its potency and potential for abuse. Therefore, it is not appropriate to assume that just because aspirin is available over the counter, morphine should be as well.

Question 4

Mr. Fuller, who is running for the U.S. Senate, was seriously wounded during the last war. Therefore, it is certain that he would make a great senator.
A) Argument against the person, circumstantial.
B) False dichotomy.
C) Weak analogy.
D) Missing the point.
E) Red herring.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Mr. Fuller, who is running for the...

Question 5

Sparky the Weasel is clearly unqualified to operate the Paradise Day Care Center for young children. A few years ago Sparky was convicted of fifteen counts of child molestation and statutory rape.
A) Appeal to the people.
B) Begging the question.
C) Argument against the person, abusive.
D) Argument against the person, circumstantial.
E) No fallacy.

Accepted Answer

Sparky's past convictions for child molestation and statutory rape are directly relevant to his qualifications to operate a day care center, making this a valid argument rather than a fallacy.

Question 6

Twenty percent of the women attending Ponderosa College are beautiful. Since Charlotte attends Ponderosa College, it follows that twenty percent of her is beautiful.
A) Hasty generalization.
B) Division.
C) Amphiboly.
D) Composition.
E) Accident.

Accepted Answer

The fallacy committed here is "Division," which incorrectly assumes that what is true of a whole must also be true of its parts. In this case, it wrongly concludes that because 20% of the women at Ponderosa College are beautiful, then 20% of Charlotte (an individual part of that group) must be beautiful.

Question 7

Dr. Harrison has argued that the open position in the mathematics department should be given to Dr. George. But Harrison's arguments should be discounted since Harrison and George are good friends.
A) Weak analogy.
B) Argument against the person, abusive.
C) Red herring.
D) Straw man.
E) Argument against the person, circumstantial.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of an ad hominem or personal attack that is circumstantial. The argument discounts Harrison's opinion based on his friendship with George, rather than addressing the merits of George's qualifications for the position.

Question 8

A spokesman for the government has argued that our insistence on a twelve percent increase in pay for steel workers is inflationary. But the government's own actions are far more inflationary than ours. The government just gave a fifteen percent increase to every single employee of the giant federal bureaucracy.
A) Tu quoque (you, too).
B) Argument against the person, circumstantial.
C) Appeal to ignorance.
D) Straw man.
E) Hasty generalization.

Accepted Answer

The spokesman for the government is using the Tu quoque fallacy by trying to deflect attention from the issue at hand (the steel workers' pay increase) and instead focusing on the government's actions in giving an even larger increase to federal employees. This doesn't address the issue of whether the steel workers deserve a pay increase or not, and instead tries to shift the blame onto the government's actions.

Question 9

You have been rather outspoken lately in your criticism of the administration; but I am sure that you will want to keep your mouth shut in the future, because several of those who have been critical in the past have now lost their jobs.
A) Tu quoque (you, too).
B) Argument against the person, abusive.
C) Red herring.
D) Complex question.
E) Appeal to force.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of appeal to force, also known as scare tactics or intimidation. The speaker is trying to silence the person by threatening them with the loss of their job if they continue to criticize the administration. This is not a valid or ethical way to address criticism or dissenting opinions.

Question 10

Every patch in this patchwork quilt is some shade of green. Therefore, the entire quilt is green.
A) Division.
B) No fallacy.
C) Accident.
D) Composition.
E) False cause.

Accepted Answer

The premise states that every patch is green, and the conclusion states that the entire quilt is green. This is a valid deductive argument, so there is no fallacy.

Question 11

Steve, I know that you've never been in a serious accident, but do you still drive your car like a madman?
A) Complex question.
B) Accident.
C) Argument against the person, abusive.
D) No fallacy.
E) Tu quoque (you, too).

Accepted Answer

The question presupposes that Steve drives recklessly without evidence, making it a complex question fallacy by combining an unproven claim with a question.

Question 12

Dog owners have asked that they be allowed to bring their pets to the beach. This request will have to be denied. If dogs are allowed on the beach, then soon we will have horses and cows. Before long there will be sheep, goats, pigs, and chickens. All that potential food will attract the owners of jaguars, lions, and tigers. In the end, the beach will be a war zone.
A) False dichotomy.
B) Suppressed evidence.
C) Begging the question.
D) Slippery slope.
E) Composition.

Accepted Answer

The argument presents a slippery slope fallacy by suggesting that allowing dogs on the beach will lead to a chain of events that ends in the beach becoming a war zone. There is no evidence to suggest that this chain of events would actually happen, making it a fallacy.

Question 13

Either you send Hallmark cards or you don't care enough to send the very best. Surely you care enough to send the very best. Therefore, you will want to send Hallmark cards.
A) False dichotomy.
B) No fallacy.
C) Amphiboly.
D) Equivocation.
E) Complex question.

Accepted Answer

The argument presents a false dichotomy by assuming that there are only two options - either you send Hallmark cards or you don't care enough. This ignores other possible reasons for not sending Hallmark cards and presents an either/or scenario that may not be accurate.

Question 14

Oak trees are shady. Shady things are not to be trusted. Therefore, oak trees are not to be trusted.
A) Amphiboly.
B) False cause.
C) Missing the point.
D) Begging the question.
E) Equivocation.

Accepted Answer

The argument commits the fallacy of equivocation by using the word "shady" in two different senses: first to mean "casting shade" and then to mean "suspicious or untrustworthy."

Question 15

No fish are mammals. Therefore, no mammals are fish.
A) Equivocation.
B) Begging the question.
C) No fallacy.
D) Missing the point.
E) Accident.

Accepted Answer

This is a valid logical statement and does not contain any fallacy. It is a simple example of a categorical syllogism with a negative premise and a negative conclusion, and it is true that no fish are mammals and vice versa.

Question 16

Smith, Adams, and Harris all outlived their wives, and their wives were younger than they were. It must be the case that men outlive women these days.
A) False cause.
B) Accident.
C) Weak analogy.
D) No fallacy.
E) Hasty generalization.

Accepted Answer

The conclusion that men outlive women based on the observation of three men outliving their wives is a hasty generalization. The sample size is too small to make a general statement about the lifespan of men and women as a whole. Additionally, there could be other factors contributing to why these particular men outlived their wives, such as differences in lifestyle or health habits.

Question 17

The Surgeon General recently issued a report arguing that one third of the cancer fatalities in the United States can be attributed to smoking. But this claim is ridiculous. Smoking produces a great deal of enjoyment for millions of Americans. What would life be like if you can't enjoy something once in a while?
A) Slippery slope.
B) Red herring.
C) Appeal to unqualified authority.
D) Complex question.
E) No fallacy.

Accepted Answer

The argument is using a red herring fallacy by diverting the attention away from the claim that smoking causes cancer by focusing on the enjoyment it brings to some people. The enjoyment factor is not relevant to the health consequences of smoking.

Question 18

Nobody has ever seen Mr. Fearnside drive a car. He does own a car, though, but his wife is the only one to drive it. Therefore, probably Mr. Fearnside doesn't drive.
A) Begging the question.
B) Suppressed evidence.
C) No fallacy.
D) Complex question.
E) Appeal to ignorance.

Accepted Answer

The argument is based on the available evidence that Mr. Fearnside has never been seen driving and his wife is the only one who drives their car. This leads to a reasonable conclusion that he probably doesn't drive, without committing a logical fallacy.

Question 19

Most elderly people who are hospitalized with cancer eventually die from the disease. Thus, if an elderly person wants to recover from cancer he or she must, at all costs, refuse hospitalization.
A) Appeal to ignorance.
B) Appeal to the people.
C) Accident.
D) False cause.
E) Hasty generalization.

Accepted Answer

The statement presents a false cause fallacy by assuming that hospitalization causes elderly people to die from cancer. In reality, hospitalization may be necessary for treatment and recovery, and not all elderly people who receive hospital treatment die from cancer.

Question 20

Clearly the moral standards of our youth have decayed. Two doctors at Central Hospital appeared recently on a talk show, and both were convinced that the youth of today have no morals at all.
A) Argument against the person, abusive.
B) Hasty generalization.
C) Weak analogy.
D) Appeal to unqualified authority.
E) Missing the point.

Accepted Answer

The argument relies on the opinions of two doctors, who may not be qualified to make broad claims about the moral standards of youth, making it an appeal to unqualified authority.

Quiz 3: Informal Fallacies

Gold Medallion wine is the finest wine in the United States. This is true because it's preferred by more people of discriminating taste. Furthermore, we know that it's preferred by more people of discriminating taste because it's the finest wine in the United States.

Stealing is wrong. Therefore, it would be wrong for me to steal the spark plug wires from that getaway car while the driver is busy robbing the First National Bank.

Aspirin is a drug that relieves pain, and it is appropriately purchased over the counter. Morphine, like aspirin, is a drug that relieves pain. Therefore, it would be appropriate that morphine be available over the counter.

Mr. Fuller, who is running for the U.S. Senate, was seriously wounded during the last war. Therefore, it is certain that he would make a great senator.

Sparky the Weasel is clearly unqualified to operate the Paradise Day Care Center for young children. A few years ago Sparky was convicted of fifteen counts of child molestation and statutory rape.

Twenty percent of the women attending Ponderosa College are beautiful. Since Charlotte attends Ponderosa College, it follows that twenty percent of her is beautiful.

Dr. Harrison has argued that the open position in the mathematics department should be given to Dr. George. But Harrison's arguments should be discounted since Harrison and George are good friends.

You have been rather outspoken lately in your criticism of the administration; but I am sure that you will want to keep your mouth shut in the future, because several of those who have been critical in the past have now lost their jobs.

Every patch in this patchwork quilt is some shade of green. Therefore, the entire quilt is green.

Steve, I know that you've never been in a serious accident, but do you still drive your car like a madman?

Either you send Hallmark cards or you don't care enough to send the very best. Surely you care enough to send the very best. Therefore, you will want to send Hallmark cards.

Oak trees are shady. Shady things are not to be trusted. Therefore, oak trees are not to be trusted.

No fish are mammals. Therefore, no mammals are fish.

Smith, Adams, and Harris all outlived their wives, and their wives were younger than they were. It must be the case that men outlive women these days.

Nobody has ever seen Mr. Fearnside drive a car. He does own a car, though, but his wife is the only one to drive it. Therefore, probably Mr. Fearnside doesn't drive.

Most elderly people who are hospitalized with cancer eventually die from the disease. Thus, if an elderly person wants to recover from cancer he or she must, at all costs, refuse hospitalization.

Clearly the moral standards of our youth have decayed. Two doctors at Central Hospital appeared recently on a talk show, and both were convinced that the youth of today have no morals at all.