Fallacy of Complex Question

• Fallacies of presumption are logical errors
• Fallacies of presumption occur when an argument assumes its conclusion without sufficient evidence
• These fallacies occur because the premises presume what they assert to prove
• These fallacies do not arise because the premises are irrelevant to the conclusion
• These fallacies do not arise because the premises fail to provide sufficient reason for believing the conclusion

Fallacy of Complex Question

• A complex question is a fallacy that presupposes a prior answer to a prior question
• The fallacy is also known as a loaded question, a trick question, a leading question, the fallacy of the false question, and the fallacy of many questions
• Also known as "Plurium Interrogationum," meaning 'of many questions'
• A question can be posed as if a simple "yes" or "no" answer suffices
• In reality, a longer, clarifying answer is needed when a question is actually two disguised as one
• It also occurs when two or more points are combined, expecting the reader to accept or reject them together, even if only one is satisfactory

Examples of Complex Question

• "Did you stop cheating on your tests?"
• "Do you support abortion or are you against it?"
• "Have you stopped beating your wife?"
• "Have you stopped playing guitar lately?"
• "Have you stopped taking bribes?"

Slippery Slope Fallacy

• Occurs when a series of increasingly superficial and unacceptable consequences are drawn
• An argument claims that an initial event will trigger a series of events, leading to an extreme or undesirable outcome
• The chain of events is anticipated without providing evidence to support the claim
• This fallacy occurs when asserting that a small step leads to a chain of events causing a drastic change or negative outcome
• This assertion is called a slippery slope argument

Three Kinds of Slippery Slope Fallacy

• Causal Slopes
• Precedential Slopes
• Conceptual Slopes

Causal Slopes

• Suggest a minor action will result in a sequence leading to a major action later
• Require at least two events: the first and the last
• Any number of events can occur in between, either implied or explicitly stated
• Example: If one student gets extra time on a test, everyone might get perfect scores later, regardless of their effort

Precedential Slopes

• Argue that setting a precedent by treating something minor in a specific way now forces treating something major the same way later
• Deals with treating cases consistently
• Example: "If marijuana is legalized, 'harder drugs' like heroin will follow"
• This is often fallacious because ignores diverse case treatment

Conceptual Slopes

• Center on the idea that if transitioning from point A to point B is possible in small, indistinguishable steps, no meaningful difference exists between them

• Example: Allowing euthanasia for the terminally ill might as well allow it for everyone

• Often fallacious because the ability to distinguish between even similar things is ignored

• Slippery slope arguments are not always flawed, but can be insidious if they are

• Slippery slope arguments are often used to promote fear and anxiety

• Slippery slope arguments are often used shut down more subtle arguments

• "The fallacy is often used in fear-mongering attempts, shutting down nuanced discussion by encouraging an all-or-nothing view, which is unfortunately used to justify restrictive policies and procedures."

Fallacious Example

• If I don't pass tomorrow's exam, I will not get the GPA I need to go to a good college, and then I won't be able to find a job and earn a living. If I don't pass the exam, my life is ruined!

Non-Fallacious Example

• If I don't pass tomorrow's exam, this might affect my GPA, which in turn might impact my chances of going to a good college.

More Fallacious Examples

• If we allow our child to have ice cream tonight, next they'll be asking for it every night, and soon they'll only eat dessert and never eat healthy food again
• If we let students redo tests, soon they'll expect to redo every assignment, and eventually, no one will take their work seriously
• If you start drinking one soda a day, you'll become addicted and eventually suffer from obesity and diabetes
• If you break up with me, you'll never find someone who treats you as well as I do

How to Identify and Avoid the Slippery Slope Fallacy

• Before answering, carefully analyze the question to identify any statements it assumes to be true
• If the presupposition is not valid or is disputed, challenge it
• Refuse to answer to avoid being trapped until the presupposition is addressed
• Ask the person to clarify the presupposition or provide evidence