Question 1

Select the fallacy or bad argument technique which occurs in the following argument: Bullying is everywhere - it can't be totally eliminated. So all this work to construct anti-bullying policies is a waste of everyone's time.
A) False dilemma
B) Perfectionist fallacy
C) Post hoc ergo propter hoc
D) Epistemic fallacy

Accepted Answer

This is an example of the perfectionist fallacy, which asserts that unless a problem can be completely solved, no effort should be made to mitigate it at all. This is a flawed argument because it ignores the fact that even small improvements can have a significant impact.

Question 2

Select the fallacy or bad argument technique which occurs in the following argument: I think my sister's new partner, Frances, will like the gift we have bought her. We're giving her a fishing rod. She lives in Canada and most people who live in Canada live near a river, a lake or an ocean and most people who live near water like to fish.
A) False dilemma
B) Majority belief
C) Mistaking correlation for cause
D) Base rate fallacy

Accepted Answer

This argument commits the base rate fallacy by assuming that Frances, simply because she lives in Canada, is likely to enjoy fishing. While it is true that many people in Canada live near bodies of water and enjoy fishing, this does not necessarily mean that Frances does as well. The argument fails to consider individual differences and preferences.

Question 3

Select the fallacy or bad argument technique which occurs in the following argument: The government keeps talking about greater monitoring of families with young children, and greater penalties for child abuse. But there will always be people who abuse or neglect their children, so there's no point in adopting such measures.
A) Perfectionist fallacy
B) Fallacy of denying the antecedent
C) Post hoc ergo propter hoc
D) Base rate fallacy

Accepted Answer

The perfectionist fallacy occurs when the argument incorrectly assumes that the perfect solution must be found to solve a problem, dismissing any solution that does not completely solve the problem. In this case, the argument dismisses measures to monitor families and penalize child abuse by stating that since abuse cannot be completely eradicated, there's no point in adopting such measures.

Question 4

Select the fallacy or bad argument technique which occurs in the following argument: The Social Development Minister says too many people want hand-outs from the government. She can talk! She spent years receiving government assistance.
A) False dilemma
B) Ad hominem
C) Tu quoque
D) Mistaking correlation for cause

Accepted Answer

This argument uses the tu quoque fallacy, which is also known as the "you're another" fallacy. This is where instead of addressing the argument being made, the speaker attempts to discredit the person making the argument by pointing out their own hypocrisy or wrongdoing. In this case, the speaker dismisses the Social Development Minister's statement by noting her own history of receiving government assistance. This is a fallacy because it does not address the issue of whether too many people rely on government assistance.

Question 5

Select the fallacy or bad argument technique which occurs in the following argument: We should preserve marriage as a relationship between a man and a woman. If we undercut traditional ideals of marriage by allowing gay people to marry, before you know it we'll be allowing polygamous relationships, and then incestuous ones, and people will end up being able to marry their own brothers and sisters! No gay marriage!
A) Post hoc ergo propter hoc
B) Smokescreen
C) Fallacy of denying the antecedent
D) Slippery slope

Accepted Answer

The argument is using the slippery slope fallacy by suggesting that if we allow gay marriage, it will lead to allowing other types of marriages, like polygamous and incestuous ones. There is no logical reason to assume that allowing gay marriage will inevitably lead to those other forms of marriage.

Question 6

Select the fallacy or bad argument technique which occurs in the following argument: New Zealand is currently experiencing a drought. The drought followed closely on moves to allow gay people to marry. Clearly, this is causing the drought.
A) Common practice fallacy
B) Fallacy of affirming the consequent
C) Majority belief
D) Post hoc ergo propter hoc

Accepted Answer

This argument commits the post hoc ergo propter hoc fallacy or the "after this, therefore because of this" fallacy. It assumes that just because one event followed another, the first event caused the second. However, there is no logical connection between these two events.

Question 7

Select the fallacy or bad argument technique which occurs in the following argument: David Beckham is the best midfielder ever to play for England and he says that Arbarmi jeans are his favourite. They must be the best.
A) Appeal to authority
B) False dilemma
C) Post hoc ergo propter hoc
D) Smokescreen

Accepted Answer

This is an example of an appeal to authority, where the speaker is taking David Beckham's opinion as evidence of the superiority of Arbarmi jeans. Just because Beckham is an expert in soccer, it does not necessarily mean he is an expert in fashion, making this argument fallacious.

Question 8

Select the fallacy or bad argument technique which occurs in the following argument: My Dad says smoking is bad for you. But as he smokes like a chimney, I reckon he doesn't know what he's talking about.
A) Tu quoque
B) Common practice fallacy
C) Ad hominem
D) Mistaking correlation for cause

Accepted Answer

This is an example of tu quoque, which is also known as the "appeal to hypocrisy" fallacy. It involves attacking the person making the argument rather than engaging with the actual argument itself. In this case, the speaker is dismissing their father's argument by pointing out that their father doesn't follow their own advice. This does not address the actual argument about whether smoking is bad for you.

Question 9

Select the fallacy or bad argument technique which occurs in the following argument: If it's raining, we can't play tennis outdoors. We can't play tennis outdoors, so it must be raining.
A) Tu quoque
B) Epistemic fallacy
C) Fallacy of affirming the consequent
D) Attacking a straw man

Accepted Answer

This is the fallacy of affirming the consequent because the argument assumes that if the consequent (can't play tennis outdoors) is true, then the antecedent (it must be raining) must also be true. However, there could be other reasons why they can't play tennis outdoors, such as the courts being closed or under repair.

Question 10

Select the fallacy or bad argument technique which occurs in the following argument: I really want to learn to fish. It must be a great way to spend your holidays and weekends, and a vast majority of people here in New Zealand enjoy fishing.
A) Common practice fallacy
B) Fallacy of denying the antecedent
C) Attacking a straw man
D) Ad hominem circumstantial

Accepted Answer

This argument is using the common practice fallacy by assuming that just because a majority of people enjoy fishing in New Zealand, it must be a great way to spend one's time. The popularity of an activity does not necessarily make it valuable or enjoyable for everyone.

Question 11

Select the fallacy or bad argument technique which occurs in the following argument: These herbal infusions of marijuana ought to be banned! Kids start on these legal highs, but they soon switch to illegal drugs like marijuana, and from there it's a short step to serious drugs like ecstasy and cocaine. And before you know it, they're all P addicts.
A) Confusing correlation with cause
B) Slippery slope
C) Common practice fallacy
D) Straw man

Accepted Answer

The argument uses a slippery slope fallacy by suggesting that using herbal infusions containing marijuana will lead to the use of more serious and illegal drugs. This assumes that there is a direct causal relationship between the two, which has not been proven.

Quiz 2: Language and Rhetoric

Select the fallacy or bad argument technique which occurs in the following argument: Bullying is everywhere - it can't be totally eliminated. So all this work to construct anti-bullying policies is a waste of everyone's time.

Select the fallacy or bad argument technique which occurs in the following argument: The Social Development Minister says too many people want hand-outs from the government. She can talk! She spent years receiving government assistance.

Select the fallacy or bad argument technique which occurs in the following argument: New Zealand is currently experiencing a drought. The drought followed closely on moves to allow gay people to marry. Clearly, this is causing the drought.

Select the fallacy or bad argument technique which occurs in the following argument: David Beckham is the best midfielder ever to play for England and he says that Arbarmi jeans are his favourite. They must be the best.

Select the fallacy or bad argument technique which occurs in the following argument: My Dad says smoking is bad for you. But as he smokes like a chimney, I reckon he doesn't know what he's talking about.

Select the fallacy or bad argument technique which occurs in the following argument: If it's raining, we can't play tennis outdoors. We can't play tennis outdoors, so it must be raining.

Select the fallacy or bad argument technique which occurs in the following argument: I really want to learn to fish. It must be a great way to spend your holidays and weekends, and a vast majority of people here in New Zealand enjoy fishing.