Question 1

When one appeals for moderation simply for moderation's sake, one is is appealing to an inappropriate standard.

Accepted Answer

Appealing to moderation without considering the context and circumstances can result in inappropriate outcomes. The appropriate standard depends on the situation and the values involved.

Question 2

If I said that a claim is true because it has its foundation in the Democratic Party, I am arguably committing what error in reasoning?
A) ad hominem
B) genetic fallacy
C) straw tiger
D) appeal to custom

Accepted Answer

This is a case of genetic fallacy where the truth of the claim is being based on the origin or source of the claim (Democratic Party), rather than on the actual evidence or logic behind it.

Question 3

Which of the following are relevant to determining the credibility of a source?
A) educatoin
B) experience
C) personal bias
D) all of the above

Accepted Answer

Education and experience can contribute to the credibility of a source, but personal bias must also be considered to fully determine credibility. Therefore, all of the above are relevant to determining the credibility of a source.

Question 4

What error in reasoning is Jess making in the following?
Devon: Why did you just do that?
Jess: Well, that's how most folks do it.
A) genetic fallacy
B) ad hominem
C) appeal to common practice
D) appeal to the minority

Accepted Answer

Jess is making an appeal to common practice by saying that most folks do it that way, therefore implying that it must be the right or acceptable thing to do. However, just because something is commonly done doesn't necessarily mean it's the best or correct way to do it.

Question 5

What error in reasoning is committed in the following?
I'm going to the store because I need milk.
A) appeal to common practice
B) straw man
C) ad hominem
D) none of the above

Accepted Answer

This statement is a simple cause-and-effect statement and does not contain any logical fallacies. Therefore, none of the given options are applicable.

Question 6

What error in reasoning is committed in the following?
Since most people believe that dogs are good companions, I do too.
A) appeal to majority
B) appeal to custom
C) appeal to habit
D) appeal to personal character

Accepted Answer

The error in reasoning is an appeal to majority, which assumes that something is true or good simply because most people believe it. This is a fallacious argument because the popularity of a belief does not necessarily make it true.

Question 7

If you find fault in a position that is held by nobody, then you are finding fault in
A) ad hominem
B) a paper tiger
C) both a. and c.
D) a genetic fallacy

Accepted Answer

A paper tiger is a fallacy where someone argues against a position or argument that does not actually exist or has not been asserted by anyone. Therefore, finding fault in a position that is held by nobody is an example of a paper tiger fallacy. Neither ad hominem nor genetic fallacy are applicable in this scenario.

Question 8

When one follows an off-topic response to his/her question, one is following
A) an ad hominem
B) two wrongs
C) a red herring
D) a genetic fallacy

Accepted Answer

Following an off-topic response to a question is known as a red herring, which is a logical fallacy that deflects attention away from the main topic and towards an irrelevant issue.

Question 9

What error in reasoning is committed in the following?
For all of you worried about the U.S. economy, be assured that we are beginning to stabilize the military situation in Afghanistan.
A) appeal to tradition
B) red herring
C) ad hominem
D) none of the above

Accepted Answer

The statement is a red herring, as it tries to divert attention from the concern about the US economy by bringing up a seemingly unrelated topic of military situation in Afghanistan.

Question 10

Which of the following are relevant to determining the credibility of a source?
A) education
B) experience
C) personal bias
D) all of the above

Accepted Answer

All of the above (education, experience, and personal bias) are relevant factors in determining the credibility of a source. A source that has relevant education and experience in the topic they are discussing is more likely to be credible, while a source with a strong personal bias may be less credible as they may be presenting information that is not objective or based on facts. Therefore, considering all three factors is important in assessing the credibility of a source.

Question 11

What error in reasoning is committed in the following?
How can you be right about the importance of fidelity? You've cheated on all three of your husbands!
A) appeal to popularity
B) straw man
C) ""two wrongs"" fallacy
D) appeal to the person's practices

Accepted Answer

This is an example of an "appeal to the person's practices" (also known as ad hominem), where the argument attacks the person's behavior or character rather than addressing the validity of the statement or argument they are making.

Question 12

When one appeals for moderation simply for moderation's sake, one is appealing to an inappropriate standard.

Accepted Answer

Appeals for moderation should be based on specific reasons and objectives, rather than just for the sake of being moderate.

Question 13

It is reasonable to consult the local butcher about the history of the ancient Mayan culture?

Accepted Answer

A local butcher is unlikely to have knowledge or expertise in the history of the ancient Mayan culture. It would be more appropriate to consult a historian, archaeologist, or anthropologist for such information.

Question 14

When one appeals for moderation simply for moderation's sake, one is committing an error in

Accepted Answer

Moderation should be employed only when it is reasonable and justifiable, not simply for the sake of moderation.

Question 15

When one critiques a misrepresented argument that person is appealing to habit.

Accepted Answer

Critiquing a misrepresented argument is known as the straw man fallacy, not appealing to habit. The straw man fallacy involves misrepresenting someone's argument to make it easier to attack, whereas appealing to habit (argumentum ad antiquitatem) suggests that something is correct or better simply because it's older or has been done for a long time.

Question 16

It is usually the case that your act is right as long as someone else has done the same thing.

Accepted Answer

The morality or ethics of an action cannot solely be determined by the fact that someone else has done it. Each situation and action must be evaluated based on its own merit and consequences.

Question 17

An argument in which the conclusion fails to follow from the offered premises is a non sequitur.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. A non sequitur is a logical fallacy in which the conclusion does not logically follow from the premises.

Question 18

For a premise to be relevant, it must make a difference to the merit of
A) the issue in question
B) the conclusion

Accepted Answer

The answer of For a premise to be relevant, it...

Question 19

For a premise to be relevant, it must make a difference to the merit of
A) the issue in question
B) the conclusion
C) another premise
D) both b. and c.

Accepted Answer

A premise is relevant if it makes a difference to the merit of the conclusion or another premise.

Question 20

When one critiques an argument by appealing to the person who made the argument, one is committing what error in reasoning?
A) genetic fallacy
B) straw man
C) ad hominem
D) appeal to custom

Accepted Answer

Critiquing an argument by attacking the person who made it rather than the substance of the argument itself is known as an ad hominem fallacy. This is considered a fallacy because attacking the character or background of the person making the argument does not undermine the validity of their argument.

Quiz 4: Relevance

When one appeals for moderation simply for moderation's sake, one is is appealing to an inappropriate standard.

If I said that a claim is true because it has its foundation in the Democratic Party, I am arguably committing what error in reasoning?

Which of the following are relevant to determining the credibility of a source?

What error in reasoning is Jess making in the following? Devon: Why did you just do that? Jess: Well, that's how most folks do it.

What error in reasoning is committed in the following? I'm going to the store because I need milk.

What error in reasoning is committed in the following? Since most people believe that dogs are good companions, I do too.

If you find fault in a position that is held by nobody, then you are finding fault in

When one follows an off-topic response to his/her question, one is following

What error in reasoning is committed in the following? For all of you worried about the U.S. economy, be assured that we are beginning to stabilize the military situation in Afghanistan.