Question 1

Re-write the following arguments in standard form and then test them for validity.
-Since Sri Caitanya was the avatar of Lord Krishna, and Lord Krishna is God, it follows that Sri Caitanya was God.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Re-write the following arguments in standard form...

Question 2

Re-write the following arguments in standard form and then test them for validity.
-The greatest artist of all time painted Girl Interrupted at Her Music. That work was painted by Vermeer, so Vermeer must be the greatest artist of all time.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Re-write the following arguments in standard form...

Question 3

Determine the fallacy committed (if any).
-Richard Dawkins argues that God is a myth, but Dawkins is a heathenistic atheist, you shouldn't listen to him.
A) Red Herring
B) Strawman
C) Ad Hominem
D) None

Accepted Answer

This is an example of an ad hominem fallacy because it attacks Dawkins' character (labeling him as a "heathenistic atheist") rather than addressing the argument he presents about God being a myth.

Question 4

Determine the fallacy committed (if any).
-A recent pole shows that most college students prefer to legalize marijuana. Apparently all students care about is getting high.
A) Red Herring
B) Strawman
C) Ad Hominem
D) None

Accepted Answer

The statement misrepresents the position of college students (preferring to legalize marijuana) as merely wanting to get high, thus distorting their actual stance. This is characteristic of a strawman fallacy, where an argument is misrepresented to make it easier to attack.

Question 5

Determine the fallacy committed (if any).
-Students are always complaining about the cost of tuition, but everything costs more these days. Students can't even afford to get to school, let alone pay for classes. Therefore, we need to find a way to bring down the cost of gasoline.
A) Red Herring
B) Strawman
C) Ad Hominem
D) None

Accepted Answer

The argument diverts from the main issue of tuition costs to the cost of gasoline, which is unrelated to the initial complaint, thus committing a Red Herring fallacy.

Question 6

Determine the fallacy committed (if any).
-Dickens wrote Great Expectations, and anyone who writes a book is an author, so Dickens must be an author.
A) Red Herring
B) Strawman
C) Ad Hominem
D) None

Accepted Answer

The argument logically concludes that Dickens is an author based on the premise that he wrote a book, which is a sound argument without any fallacy.

Question 7

Determine the fallacy committed (if any).
-Are you really going to accept his word for it? The man's a psychopathic killer.
A) Red Herring
B) Strawman
C) Ad Hominem
D) None

Accepted Answer

This is an example of an Ad Hominem fallacy, which occurs when an argument is rebutted by attacking the character, motive, or other attribute of the person making the argument, rather than addressing the substance of the argument itself. In this case, the speaker dismisses the person's word by attacking their character (labeling them a "psychopathic killer") instead of addressing the validity of their statement.

Question 8

Determine the fallacy committed (if any).
-American television is pretty bad these days. There's nothing on except for "reality shows."
A) Red Herring
B) Strawman
C) Ad Hominem
D) None

Accepted Answer

The statement expresses an opinion about the quality of American television and does not present an argument where a fallacy could occur. It's a subjective assessment rather than a logical argument.

Question 9

Determine the fallacy committed (if any).
-"Reality shows" are ruining television; therefore, we must get rid of reality television before all of our sets go bad.
A) Red Herring
B) Strawman
C) Ad Hominem
D) None

Accepted Answer

The argument misrepresents the impact of reality shows by suggesting they will ruin all television, which is an exaggerated and oversimplified version of the issue, characteristic of a Strawman fallacy.

Question 10

Determine the fallacy committed (if any).
-Since Shakespeare was a genius, we should accept everything he said as gospel truth.
A) Red Herring
B) Strawman
C) Ad Hominem
D) None

Accepted Answer

The answer of Determine the fallacy committed (if any).
-Since Shakespeare...

Question 11

What is voir dire? Why is it important to jury selection?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is voir dire? Why is it...

Question 12

How does one determine between a relevant and an irrelevant reason? Why is doing so important?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How does one determine between a relevant...

Question 13

What is the difference between an argument and a testimonial?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the difference between an argument...

Question 14

What is the difference between a fallacious Ad Hominem and a legitimate Ad Hominem?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the difference between a fallacious...

Quiz 1: Understanding Logic and Fallacies

Re-write the following arguments in standard form and then test them for validity. -Since Sri Caitanya was the avatar of Lord Krishna, and Lord Krishna is God, it follows that Sri Caitanya was God.

Re-write the following arguments in standard form and then test them for validity. -The greatest artist of all time painted Girl Interrupted at Her Music. That work was painted by Vermeer, so Vermeer must be the greatest artist of all time.

Determine the fallacy committed (if any) . -Richard Dawkins argues that God is a myth, but Dawkins is a heathenistic atheist, you shouldn't listen to him.

Determine the fallacy committed (if any) . -A recent pole shows that most college students prefer to legalize marijuana. Apparently all students care about is getting high.

Determine the fallacy committed (if any) . -Students are always complaining about the cost of tuition, but everything costs more these days. Students can't even afford to get to school, let alone pay for classes. Therefore, we need to find a way to bring down the cost of gasoline.

Determine the fallacy committed (if any) . -Dickens wrote Great Expectations, and anyone who writes a book is an author, so Dickens must be an author.

Determine the fallacy committed (if any) . -Are you really going to accept his word for it? The man's a psychopathic killer.

Determine the fallacy committed (if any) . -American television is pretty bad these days. There's nothing on except for "reality shows."

Determine the fallacy committed (if any) . -"Reality shows" are ruining television; therefore, we must get rid of reality television before all of our sets go bad.

Determine the fallacy committed (if any) . -Since Shakespeare was a genius, we should accept everything he said as gospel truth.

What is voir dire? Why is it important to jury selection?

How does one determine between a relevant and an irrelevant reason? Why is doing so important?

What is the difference between an argument and a testimonial?

What is the difference between a fallacious Ad Hominem and a legitimate Ad Hominem?