Question 1

Casey, Morgan, and Lawrence are freshman college students, and all of them are staunch Libertarians. It must be the case that all freshmen are staunch Libertarians.

Accepted Answer

This is a hasty generalization because the speaker is drawing a conclusion about all freshmen based on a sample size of only three individuals. This is not a representative sample and therefore the conclusion that all freshmen are staunch Libertarians is unwarranted.

Question 2

During the past 200 years nobody has ever been cured of Lou Gehrig's disease. Therefore, nobody will be cured of Lou Gehrig's disease in the next 200 years.

Accepted Answer

The argument commits the fallacy of suppressed evidence by ignoring potential future medical advancements or discoveries that could lead to a cure for Lou Gehrig's disease within the next 200 years.

Question 3

If TV programs become more inane, then viewers will be bored even further. Viewers will be bored even further. Therefore, TV programs will become even more inane.

Accepted Answer

The argument commits a formal fallacy known as affirming the consequent. It incorrectly assumes that because the consequence (viewers being bored even further) occurs, the cause (TV programs becoming more inane) must also occur, which is a logical error.

Question 4

Tricia is coughing and sneezing, and her head is all stuffed up. Tricia must have a cold.

Accepted Answer

This statement simply describes the symptoms that Tricia is experiencing and draws the logical conclusion that she must have a cold. There is no fallacious reasoning present.

Question 5

Congressman Henderson is a tall man with brown hair and blue eyes, and he supports the upcoming bill on handguns. Congressman Wagner is also a tall man with brown hair and blue eyes. Thus, he probably supports the handgun bill, too.

Accepted Answer

The fact that two individuals share physical characteristics does not necessarily mean they share the same beliefs or opinions on a particular topic. This is a weak analogy fallacy.

Question 6

Max argues that we should upgrade our firefighting equipment by purchasing a fleet of new trucks with all the bells and whistles. But it's only natural that he should argue this way. Max is a firefighter himself, and he just wants a fancy new truck to ride around in.

Accepted Answer

The argument is attacking Max's motivation for proposing the upgrade rather than addressing the validity of the proposal itself. This is an example of the argument against the person, circumstantial fallacy.

Question 7

Stacy is a terrible poker player. But every poker player is a person. Therefore, Stacy is a terrible person.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of equivocation, as the terms "poker player" and "person" are being used interchangeably, leading to a false conclusion about Stacy's character. Just because someone is not skilled at playing poker does not necessarily mean they are a bad person.

Question 8

When Edward turned the key in his new BMW this morning, the car wouldn't start. Thus, he should call a tow truck and have the car towed to the wrecking yard.

Accepted Answer

The conclusion that Edward should have the car towed to the wrecking yard because it wouldn't start one morning misses the point. There could be simpler, less drastic solutions to explore before considering such an extreme action.

Question 9

You shouldn't worry a minute about dropping these tabs of ecstasy. Absolutely everyone who is the least bit cool is doing it.

Accepted Answer

This is an appeal to the people fallacy because it is suggesting that everyone who is cool is doing it, therefore implying that the listener should also do it to be cool.

Question 10

Nobody has ever seen Paul Carson go to church or participate in any religious activity. Therefore, probably Paul has no formal religious beliefs.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Nobody has ever seen Paul Carson go...

Question 11

These environmentalists have gone overboard. Who are these crazies who dictate what we can do with our own property? This great nation was founded in the spirit of capitalism, and free enterprise! The sacred right of private property is grounded in the commands of almighty God! Down with the nature-nuts! Away with the eco-maniacs!

Accepted Answer

The statement uses emotionally charged language and appeals to popular sentiments and beliefs (like capitalism, private property rights, and religion) to persuade the audience, which is characteristic of an "Appeal to the people" fallacy.

Question 12

Jordan argues against alcohol abuse in fraternities. What a hypocrite! When Jordan was a student he was the biggest binge drinker on campus. His arguments are a joke.

Accepted Answer

This is a "You, too" (tu quoque) fallacy because it attempts to discredit Jordan's argument against alcohol abuse by pointing out his past behavior, rather than addressing the merits of the argument itself.

Question 13

Either Thomas Jefferson or Alexander Hamilton participated in writing the Federalist Papers. But Jefferson did not participate in this project. Therefore, it was Hamilton who participated.

Accepted Answer

The argument correctly concludes that Alexander Hamilton participated in writing the Federalist Papers, based on the premise that either Jefferson or Hamilton did, and Jefferson did not. This follows logically, without fallacy, given the information provided.

Question 14

Willie the Weasel could not possibly be responsible for burglarizing the jewelry store. Willie is an inept bungler who couldn't steal a newspaper from a broken vending machine.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Willie the Weasel could not possibly be...

Question 15

The outsourcing of jobs by American companies is clearly beneficial. These jobs go to people in India and Southeast Asia where good jobs are scarce.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The outsourcing of jobs by American companies...

Question 16

Mr. Thompson, our jeweler, says that the stone in your ring is a sapphire. Since Mr. Thompson has an excellent reputation among jewelers, we conclude that the stone is indeed a sapphire.

Accepted Answer

There is no fallacy in this statement because the conclusion logically follows from the premise (Mr. Thompson's reputation and his statement about the stone).

Question 17

Whatever you do, never ask Haley Burns for a date. A few months after Victor started dating Haley he began suffering from erectile dysfunction.

Accepted Answer

The statement implies a cause-effect relationship between Victor dating Haley and his erectile dysfunction, which is unfounded and false. This is an example of the fallacy of false cause.

Question 18

Sylvia is an American. Americans are 12 percent black, 4 percent Asian, and 13 percent Hispanic. Therefore, Sylvia is 12 percent black, 4 percent Asian, and 13 percent Hispanic.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of the division fallacy, which occurs when one incorrectly attributes the characteristics of a whole (in this case, the demographic percentages of the American population) to an individual member of that whole (Sylvia).

Question 19

Amy, since you know something about algebra, you can probably help me out with this. What is the value of x in the equation x² + 3x = 22?

Accepted Answer

There is no fallacy present in this statement. It is a simple algebraic question asking to solve for x.

Question 20

Same-sex marriage should never be allowed in this state. If we allow gays to marry each other, then in no time uncles will marry their nephews and nieces. Then fathers will marry their daughters, mothers will marry their sons, and brothers will marry their sisters. Before long, pet owners will marry their dogs and cats, and this will lead to the complete destruction of civilized life.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of the slippery slope fallacy, where the argument presents a chain reaction of hypothetical and extreme events as a result of allowing same-sex marriage. However, there is no logical connection or evidence presented to support the idea that allowing same-sex marriage will inevitably lead to other types of relationships being legitimized. The argument also ignores the fact that allowing same-sex marriage is a separate issue from incestuous or bestial relationships, which are generally illegal and considered taboo in most societies.

Quiz 3: Informal Fallacies