Question 1

Global warming has never been a big problem in the past. Therefore, it won't be a big problem in the future.

Accepted Answer

This statement commits the fallacy of suppressed evidence because it ignores or overlooks relevant information or data that could influence the conclusion. It dismisses the potential for future problems based on the absence of past problems, without considering changing conditions or accumulating effects that could make global warming a significant issue in the future.

Question 2

It's not possible that Jessica prepared this delicious meal all by herself. Jessica is too stupid to read a cookbook, she can't measure anything, she has absolutely no sense of taste, and she doesn't even know how to boil water.

Accepted Answer

The answer of It's not possible that Jessica prepared this...

Question 3

Can you believe that some parents want to control their kids' access to the Internet? Who are these autocrats who insist on imposing their views on others? This country was born in a spirit of freedom and self determination. Countless patriots have died to preserve our sacred values. We must cherish those values! We must nurture them in our children! End all mind control now and forever!

Accepted Answer

The argument uses an appeal to the people fallacy by invoking patriotic sentiments and values to sway opinion against parental control of internet access.

Question 4

Jim, it's clear that you want that job with the Acme accounting agency. Therefore, to improve your chances, you should tell the interviewer that if he doesn't give you the job you will kidnap one of his children.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Jim, it's clear that you want that...

Question 5

While driving on the freeway a big truck cut me off when it changed lanes. A few days earlier another truck tailgated me, and yet another refused to dim its lights. The conclusion is obvious that truckers these days are as rude as they are reckless.

Accepted Answer

The author is using a hasty generalization by assuming that because a few truckers were rude on the road, all truckers are now rude and reckless. This conclusion is not supported by enough evidence and is an overgeneralization.

Question 6

Dr. David Sherman of the National Skin Cancer Society reports that tanning salons pose a serious risk for skin cancer. Therefore, we should consider legislation to regulate the tanning industry.

Accepted Answer

Dr. David Sherman is presumably an expert in the field given his association with the National Skin Cancer Society, making his statement credible rather than an appeal to unqualified authority or any of the other listed fallacies.

Question 7

Either Kansas or Ohio is situated on the Mississippi River. But Ohio is not on the Mississippi. Therefore, it must be Kansas.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Either Kansas or Ohio is situated on...

Question 8

Practically everyone has driven home at one time or other after having had a few drinks. Therefore, you shouldn't have any problem with driving home now, even though you're a bit tipsy.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Practically everyone has driven home at one...

Question 9

Our weightlifting coach argues with great conviction about the dangers of steroids, but you really can't take him seriously. I've been told by a trustworthy source that when the coach was our age he popped steroid pills every day.

Accepted Answer

The response acknowledges the accusation but avoids the actual argument and instead attacks the person making the argument by pointing out their own hypocrisy or inconsistency.

Question 10

Irving is a wonderful cook. But every cook is a human being. Therefore, Irving is a wonderful human being.

Accepted Answer

This is the fallacy of equivocation because the term "wonderful" is being used in two different ways. In the first sentence, it refers to Irving's cooking ability, while in the second sentence, it refers to his moral character as a human being.

Question 11

Benny has argued for a long time for a new national park in Montana, but you really shouldn't listen to him. Benny owns a general store in the proposed vicinity, and if the park is created, he stands to profit handsomely from the flow of visitors.

Accepted Answer

This fallacy is known as argument against the person, circumstantial. It attacks the person making the argument rather than the argument itself by suggesting that Benny's argument for the national park cannot be trusted because he stands to gain financially from its creation.

Question 12

Randy, you have a good eye. Tell me: Do you think this dress makes me look too fat?

Accepted Answer

There is no fallacy present in the statement.

Question 13

My friend Connie used a green Bic pen to solve the problems on her last algebra test, and after the test was graded she got an A. So if you want to get an A in algebra, you should work all the test problems with a green Bic pen.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of a false cause fallacy, where the use of a green pen is not causally related to getting an A on the algebra test. There may have been other factors that contributed to the good grade.

Question 14

The Bible is unquestionably true because deep in my heart I feel that it is.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of begging the question because the statement assumes the truth of the Bible without providing any actual evidence or reasoning to support its truth. The argument relies solely on the individual's personal feelings and beliefs, which do not necessarily reflect the objective truth of the matter.

Question 15

Your little Tommy wants a slingshot for his birthday, but you shouldn't give him one. If you do, next he'll want a B-B gun. Then a 22 rifle. After that it will be a high powered rifle, and then an Uzi and an AK-47. Soon he'll want a bazooka and after that an antiaircraft gun. In no time your home will become an armory.

Accepted Answer

The argument is using the slippery slope fallacy, suggesting that allowing the child to have a slingshot will inevitably lead to them having increasingly dangerous weapons. This is an exaggeration and not necessarily true.

Question 16

Those boarding a bus are never required to pass through a security checkpoint. Therefore, those boarding an airliner should not be required to pass through a security checkpoint.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of weak analogy, as buses and airplanes are not equivalent in terms of potential security risks and the level of security measures necessary. The premise is flawed and does not provide a valid comparison.

Question 17

If cleaner cars are produced, then there will be fewer greenhouse gasses. There will be fewer greenhouse gasses. Therefore, cleaner cars will be produced.

Accepted Answer

This argument commits a formal fallacy known as affirming the consequent. It incorrectly assumes that if the production of cleaner cars leads to fewer greenhouse gases, then the presence of fewer greenhouse gases must mean cleaner cars are being produced, ignoring other potential causes for the reduction in greenhouse gases.

Question 18

Nobody has ever heard a monkey talk. Therefore, probably monkeys don't talk.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Nobody has ever heard a monkey talk....

Question 19

This cherry pie is delicious. Therefore, every ingredient in this pie is delicious.

Accepted Answer

The fallacy of division is assumed here, as it incorrectly asserts that what is true of the whole (the pie being delicious) must also be true of its parts (every ingredient being delicious).

Question 20

By accident Shelley left her old fashioned flashlight turned on all night. Therefore, it's likely that the batteries are dead.

Accepted Answer

Leaving a flashlight on all night draining the batteries is a logical and common outcome, not a fallacy.

Quiz 3: Informal Fallacies