Question 1

Since the fallacy of accident occurs when we move sloppily from the general to the particular, this fallacy is the opposite of which other fallacy?

Accepted Answer

The fallacy of hasty generalization occurs when we move from specific instances to a general conclusion, which is the opposite of moving from a general rule to a specific case, as in the fallacy of accident.

Question 2

Do all generalizations have exceptions?

Accepted Answer

Some mathematical principles, such as basic arithmetic operations or fundamental properties of geometry, are universally true without exceptions, demonstrating that not all generalizations have exceptions.

Question 3

Which fallacy is committed by the following argument? Raccoons are dangerous animals, so Jill's pet raccoon is a dangerous animal.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which fallacy is committed by the following...

Question 4

Which of the following arguments commits the accident fallacy?

Accepted Answer

The argument commits the accident fallacy because the premise that all birds can fly is applied to penguins, which is a specific type of bird that cannot fly.

Question 5

Are hasty generalizations always false?

Accepted Answer

Hasty generalizations are not always false; they can occasionally be true by chance, even though they are logically flawed due to being based on insufficient evidence.

Question 6

Does every generalization commit the fallacy of hasty generalization?

Accepted Answer

Not every generalization is a hasty generalization; some are well-supported by sufficient evidence and logical reasoning.

Question 7

The fallacy of accident occurs when someone:

Accepted Answer

The fallacy of accident occurs when someone applies a generalization to particular cases without taking into account their special features. For example, "All animals should be kept in cages" is a generalization, but it would be a fallacy of accident to apply it to your pet cat who lives with you and is not a danger to anyone.

Question 8

Which fallacy of context is committed by the following argument? Water is good to drink, so the water in this muddy puddle will be good to drink.

Accepted Answer

The fallacy of accident occurs when a general rule is applied to a specific case it was not intended to cover. In this argument, the general statement that "water is good to drink" is incorrectly applied to a specific case (muddy puddle water) without considering that the quality of water can vary greatly.

Question 9

We commit a fallacy if we arrive at a general proposition too quickly or on the basis of insufficient evidence.Do we also commit a fallacy if we do the opposite, arriving at a generalization too slowly, or on the basis of too much evidence?

Accepted Answer

Arriving at a generalization too slowly or on the basis of too much evidence does not constitute a fallacy. Fallacies typically involve errors in reasoning or logic, not the thoroughness or speed of evidence gathering.

Question 10

We are likely to avoid the fallacy of hasty generalization if the examples from which we generalize have sufficient:

Accepted Answer

In order to avoid the fallacy of hasty generalization, we need a sufficient number of examples to draw accurate conclusions. Additionally, having a variety of examples also helps ensure that our generalizations are not too narrow or limited in scope. The other options do not adequately address the need for both number and variety in our examples.

Question 11

Which fallacy of context is committed by the following argument? We aren't having cabbage for supper, so we must be having pork chops again.

Accepted Answer

This argument is committing the false alternative fallacy by presenting only two options (cabbage or pork chops) when there may be many other possibilities.

Question 12

The slippery slope fallacy occurs when someone:

Accepted Answer

The slippery slope fallacy occurs when someone posits a sequence of effects without good reason for thinking they will actually follow. It involves suggesting that a relatively small first step will lead to a chain of related events culminating in some significant outcome without providing any real evidence for that chain of causation.

Question 13

Does hasty generalization occur in inductive or deductive arguments?

Accepted Answer

Hasty generalization is a common fallacy in inductive reasoning, where a conclusion is made based on insufficient or biased evidence. It is not a fallacy in deductive reasoning, which relies on established premises and logical connections between them to draw a valid conclusion. Therefore, option C is the correct answer.

Question 14

Which fallacy of context is committed by the following argument? There has been a blizzard every January for the last three years, so there must always be a blizzard in January.

Accepted Answer

This argument commits the fallacy of hasty generalization because it extrapolates from a limited sample size of three instances to a sweeping conclusion about all Januaries in the future.

Question 15

If it is possible to commit the fallacy of accident with a rule of thumb, R, then:

Accepted Answer

If it is possible to commit the fallacy of accident with a rule of thumb, it means that the rule cannot be applied universally without exception. Therefore, choice A is the best answer.

Question 16

Which fallacy is committed by the following argument? The Sun has eight planets and many asteroids, so it is likely that all stars have planets and asteroids.

Accepted Answer

This is a hasty generalization fallacy, assuming that because one instance is true, it must be true for all similar instances.

Question 17

Which fallacy is committed by the following argument? People in India are Hindus, so Mother Teresa was a Hindu.

Accepted Answer

This argument commits the fallacy of accident, which is when a general rule is applied to a specific case where it does not apply. Just because many people in India are Hindus, it does not mean that everyone in India is a Hindu, including Mother Teresa who was a Catholic nun of Albanian origin.

Question 18

Which fallacy is committed by the following argument? Given that my first date with Bradley was such a disaster, I think every date with him would go badly.

Accepted Answer

The argument is based on one bad experience (hasty generalization) and assumes that every future event will be the same.

Question 19

Which of the following arguments commits the accident fallacy?

Accepted Answer

The accident fallacy occurs when a general rule is applied to a specific case it was not intended to cover. In choice B, the general principle that it is wrong to take from others is improperly applied to the specific case of taxation by the government, which is a context where such a rule might not be intended to apply.

Question 20

A slippery slope argument is defined as an argument that attempts to:

Accepted Answer

A slippery slope argument is a type of argument that suggests that taking a particular action will lead to a series of further consequences, with the final outcome being undesirable. It often involves a chain of events that is difficult to stop or reverse. The argument implies that if we take the first step, we will inevitably end up in a situation we would rather avoid. Therefore, the best choice is E.

Quiz 5: Fallacies

Since the fallacy of accident occurs when we move sloppily from the general to the particular, this fallacy is the opposite of which other fallacy?

Do all generalizations have exceptions?

Which fallacy is committed by the following argument? Raccoons are dangerous animals, so Jill's pet raccoon is a dangerous animal.

Which of the following arguments commits the accident fallacy?

Are hasty generalizations always false?

Does every generalization commit the fallacy of hasty generalization?

The fallacy of accident occurs when someone:

Which fallacy of context is committed by the following argument? Water is good to drink, so the water in this muddy puddle will be good to drink.

We commit a fallacy if we arrive at a general proposition too quickly or on the basis of insufficient evidence.Do we also commit a fallacy if we do the opposite, arriving at a generalization too slowly, or on the basis of too much evidence?

We are likely to avoid the fallacy of hasty generalization if the examples from which we generalize have sufficient:

Which fallacy of context is committed by the following argument? We aren't having cabbage for supper, so we must be having pork chops again.

The slippery slope fallacy occurs when someone:

Does hasty generalization occur in inductive or deductive arguments?

Which fallacy of context is committed by the following argument? There has been a blizzard every January for the last three years, so there must always be a blizzard in January.

If it is possible to commit the fallacy of accident with a rule of thumb, R, then:

Which fallacy is committed by the following argument? The Sun has eight planets and many asteroids, so it is likely that all stars have planets and asteroids.

Which fallacy is committed by the following argument? People in India are Hindus, so Mother Teresa was a Hindu.

Which fallacy is committed by the following argument? Given that my first date with Bradley was such a disaster, I think every date with him would go badly.

Which of the following arguments commits the accident fallacy?

A slippery slope argument is defined as an argument that attempts to: