Deck 15: Informal Fallacies

Question 1

Each passage below is intended to contain a fallacy. For each passage, explain what the error consists in and provide the standard fallacy label that is most appropriate.

-No one has shown that there is no life on other planets, so I am justified in believing that there is life on other planets.

Answer 1

$\textbf{ Appeal to ignorance: }$ The mere fact that we have no proof that there is no life on other planets does not provide any evidence that there is life there.

Question 2

Each passage below is intended to contain a fallacy. For each passage, explain what the error consists in and provide the standard fallacy label that is most appropriate.

-If this new drug works then I will be better in five days. I do feel better in five days. Therefore, this new drug works.

Answer 2

$\textbf{ Affirming the consequent: }$ The fact that I feel better may not have anything to do with the drug.

Question 3

Each passage below is intended to contain a fallacy. For each passage, explain what the error consists in and provide the standard fallacy label that is most appropriate.

-It is true that every event has a cause because everything must come from something.

Answer 3

$\textbf{ Begging the question: }$ The reason given just assumes the very thing at issue.

Question 4

Each passage below is intended to contain a fallacy. For each passage, explain what the error consists in and provide the standard fallacy label that is most appropriate.

-Whenever the Boston Red Sox have been in the World Series I have always bet on them, and I have always lost. They must win the World Series this year since they have never won it. This must be their year!

Question 5

Each passage below is intended to contain a fallacy. For each passage, explain what the error consists in and provide the standard fallacy label that is most appropriate.

-We either have to commit to having troops in Iraq for as long as it takes or we cut and run. We can't cut and run, so we must commit to our having troops in Iraq for as long as it takes.

Question 6

Each passage below is intended to contain a fallacy. For each passage, explain what the error consists in and provide the standard fallacy label that is most appropriate.

-Every member of the U. S. Olympic Basketball team was an all-star basketball player in the NBA, therefore it will be an excellent team.

Question 7

Each passage below is intended to contain a fallacy. For each passage, explain what the error consists in and provide the standard fallacy label that is most appropriate.

-You can't escape bad karma! Jim broke his leg shortly after he failed to help a blind person cross the street.

Question 8

Each passage below is intended to contain a fallacy. For each passage, explain what the error consists in and provide the standard fallacy label that is most appropriate.

-Sixty-one percent of respondents to a recent survey by Nascar Today confirmed that a majority of Americans believe that Nascar races are more exciting than soccer matches.

Question 9

Each passage below is intended to contain a fallacy. For each passage, explain what the error consists in and provide the standard fallacy label that is most appropriate.

-We should not allow doctor assisted suicide. The proponents of that view think that doctors should be able to assist anyone who wants to commit suicide at any time, but clearly that would be unacceptable!

Question 10

Each passage below is intended to contain a fallacy. For each passage, explain what the error consists in and provide the standard fallacy label that is most appropriate.

-You should never lie. If you allow yourself to tell a lie about whether someone's haircut or new outfit looks good, then pretty soon you will allow yourself to lie to your spouse about what you bought at the mall, and then you will find yourself lying on your tax forms and whenever it suits you.