Question 1

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 answer of Betty's argument for changing the voting age...

Question 2

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 where the conclusion follows logically from the premise. It uses the principle of composition, which states that if every part of a whole has a certain property, then the whole also has that property. Therefore, the conclusion that the shirt is pure silk is true based on the premise that every thread in the shirt is pure silk.

Question 3

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 statement is not fallacious as it is a reasonable conclusion based on the evidence provided.

Question 4

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

The argument uses a hasty generalization by providing only one example of someone who did not attend college and still became successful. This does not necessarily mean that everyone who does not attend college will also become successful.

Question 5

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 the term "human being" in two different senses - one as a designation for the biological category, and the other as a moral evaluation. Just because Jason is a terrible chess player does not necessarily mean that he is a terrible person. The conclusion does not logically follow from the premise.

Question 6

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 appeal to unqualified authority because Glitzy Glamour is a movie star, not an expert in cosmetics, and her popularity does not necessarily make her a reliable source of information about the quality of Sparkle cosmetics.

Question 7

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 statement uses suppressed evidence fallacy by ignoring any future developments or advancements in Alzheimer's research that could potentially lead to a cure. It also assumes that because something has not happened in the past two hundred years, it will not happen in the next two hundred years.

Question 8

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 in the prompt assumes that stem cell research destroys human beings. However, this is a contentious and controversial claim that is disputed by many experts in the field. By stating this assumption as if it were true, the argument is engaging in circular reasoning, or begging the question. Therefore, the prompt is committing the fallacy of begging the question.

Question 9

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 it assumes that investing money caused the stock prices to decline without considering other potential factors that could have influenced the decline. It also assumes that the pattern will continue in the future.

Question 10

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 11

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 12

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 13

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 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

The argument is using the Tu quoque (you, too) fallacy by attacking Barbara for not practicing what she preaches instead of addressing the validity of her argument for developing fuel cell cars.

Question 15

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 false cause fallacy by assuming that the election of a new president will automatically prevent any more cases of diabetes in the club. There is no evidence to support this claim, and it ignores other potential factors contributing to the occurrence of diabetes in the members.

Question 16

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 is cheating on his wife without any evidence or prior knowledge. The question also puts Bill in a difficult position because he cannot answer without admitting to the accusation. This is a classic example of a complex question fallacy.

Question 17

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

This is an example of a false dichotomy, where only two options are presented as if they are the only possibilities, forcing the person to choose between them. In reality, there are many other options besides enlisting in the Marine Corps or being a baby for the rest of your life.

Question 18

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 answer of It would not be a good idea...

Question 19

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 20

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 is a weak analogy because the status and duties of U.S. Marshals and attorneys are not necessarily comparable. The fact that U.S. Marshals are allowed to carry loaded guns in the courtroom does not necessarily mean that attorneys should be allowed to do the same. There are a variety of factors that determine who is authorized to carry firearms in certain situations, and those factors may not apply equally to different types of officials. Therefore, it is not a valid argument to say that because U.S. Marshals can carry guns, attorneys should be able to do so as well.

Quiz 3: Informal Fallacies

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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?

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

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.

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

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.