Question 1

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.
A) Appeal to the people.
B) No fallacy.
C) Argument against the person, abusive.
D) Appeal to pity.
E) Argument against the person, circumstantial.

Accepted Answer

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

Question 2

The Bible is unquestionably true because deep in my heart I feel that it is.
A) Appeal to the people.
B) No fallacy.
C) Equivocation.
D) Begging the question.
E) Appeal to ignorance.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of begging the question fallacy, where the conclusion is assumed in the premise without any evidence or argument. The statement assumes that the Bible is true, based solely on personal feelings, without providing any reasons or evidence to support the claim.

Question 3

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.
A) Begging the question.
B) False cause.
C) Weak analogy.
D) No fallacy.
E) Missing the point.

Accepted Answer

This argument commits the fallacy of weak analogy, as it assumes that the circumstances surrounding boarding a bus and boarding an airliner are similar enough to make the comparison meaningful. However, the two situations differ significantly in terms of the potential risks involved, the security measures that are typically taken, and the consequences of a security breach. Therefore, the argument fails to provide convincing support for its conclusion.

Question 4

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.
A) You, too (tu quoque).
B) Hasty generalization.
C) No fallacy.
D) Appeal to the people.
E) False dichotomy.

Accepted Answer

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

Question 5

This cherry pie is delicious. Therefore, every ingredient in this pie is delicious.
A) Appeal to the people.
B) Division.
C) Composition.
D) Hasty generalization.
E) No fallacy.

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 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.
A) No fallacy.
B) False cause.
C) Appeal to unqualified authority.
D) False dichotomy.
E) Appeal to the people.

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

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.
A) No fallacy.
B) Missing the point.
C) Slippery slope.
D) False cause.
E) Red herring.

Accepted Answer

The argument is using a slippery slope fallacy by implying that giving Tommy a slingshot will inevitably lead to him wanting increasingly dangerous weapons, which is not necessarily true.

Question 8

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.
A) Composition.
B) Missing the point.
C) Hasty generalization.
D) No fallacy.
E) Appeal to unqualified authority.

Accepted Answer

The argument is hastily generalizing based on a few isolated incidents with truckers. It assumes that all truckers are rude and reckless based on the behavior of a few.

Question 9

Irving is a wonderful cook. But every cook is a human being. Therefore, Irving is a wonderful human being.
A) Suppressed evidence.
B) No fallacy.
C) Equivocation.
D) Amphiboly.
E) Composition.

Accepted Answer

The argument commits the fallacy of equivocation by using the term "wonderful" to describe both Irving's cooking abilities and his character as a human being. Just because Irving is skilled in cooking does not necessarily mean he is a good person, and vice versa.

Question 10

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!
A) Appeal to the people.
B) No fallacy.
C) Red herring.
D) Slippery slope.
E) Begging the question.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Can you believe that some parents want...

Question 11

Global warming has never been a big problem in the past. Therefore, it won't be a big problem in the future.
A) Accident.
B) Suppressed evidence.
C) False cause.
D) Equivocation.
E) No fallacy.

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 12

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.
A) Begging the question.
B) Appeal to pity.
C) Argument against the person, abusive.
D) No fallacy.
E) False cause.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of a false cause fallacy, where the assumption is made that using a specific pen color is what caused Connie to get an A, without any evidence or logical connection between the two.

Question 13

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.
A) Argument against the person, abusive.
B) Appeal to unqualified authority.
C) Argument against the person, circumstantial.
D) Appeal to ignorance.
E) No fallacy.

Accepted Answer

The argument against Benny is based on his personal interest and potential financial gain from the proposed national park. It is therefore a circumstantial ad hominem fallacy, as it tries to discredit Benny's argument based on his personal circumstances.

Question 14

By accident Shelley left her old fashioned flashlight turned on all night. Therefore, it's likely that the batteries are dead.
A) False cause.
B) Appeal to pity.
C) Hasty generalization.
D) No fallacy.
E) Suppressed evidence.

Accepted Answer

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

Question 15

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.
A) Missing the point.
B) False cause.
C) Appeal to force.
D) No fallacy.
E) Begging the question.

Accepted Answer

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

Question 16

Either Kansas or Ohio is situated on the Mississippi River. But Ohio is not on the Mississippi. Therefore, it must be Kansas.
A) Suppressed evidence.
B) Weak analogy.
C) False dichotomy.
D) Amphiboly.
E) No fallacy.

Accepted Answer

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

Question 17

Randy, you have a good eye. Tell me: Do you think this dress makes me look too fat?
A) Appeal to ignorance.
B) No fallacy.
C) Begging the question.
D) Complex question.
E) Appeal to unqualified authority.

Accepted Answer

There is no fallacy present in the statement.

Question 18

Nobody has ever heard a monkey talk. Therefore, probably monkeys don't talk.
A) Appeal to ignorance.
B) Division.
C) Hasty generalization.
D) No fallacy.
E) Appeal to the people.

Accepted Answer

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

Question 19

If cleaner cars are produced, then there will be fewer greenhouse gasses. There will be fewer greenhouse gasses. Therefore, cleaner cars will be produced.
A) This argument contains a fallacy of ambiguity.
B) This argument contains no fallacy.
C) This argument contains a fallacy of weak induction.
D) This argument contains a formal fallacy.
E) This argument contains a fallacy of illicit transference.

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 20

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.
A) You, too (tu quoque).
B) Appeal to unqualified authority.
C) No fallacy.
D) Argument against the person, abusive.
E) Straw man.

Accepted Answer

The argument is using the tu quoque fallacy by pointing out the coach's previous use of steroids rather than addressing the actual dangers of steroids.

Quiz 3: Informal Fallacies

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.