Informal Fallacies: Ad Hominem

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Questions and Answers

What is the main characteristic of an Ad Hominem fallacy?

Accepting a claim based on the conclusion
Rejecting a claim based on the character of the person making it (correct)
Using logical reasoning to support a claim
Using evidence that has no bearing on the truth of the conclusion

Which of the following is an example of Ad Hominem fallacy?

Dr. Antony Fauci says that Terry Pratchett is overrated, so it must be true
Alex Jones is a terrible person, so his claim that smoking is bad for you must be false (correct)
The evidence suggests that smoking is bad for you, so it is true
Alex Jones says that smoking is bad for you, so it must be true

What is the purpose of Ad Hominem fallacy?

To provide evidence that supports a claim
To provide a logical conclusion based on premises
To strengthen an argument by attacking the person making the claim
To weaken an argument by attacking the person making the claim (correct)

Why is Ad Hominem fallacy considered a fallacy?

Because it is an attack on the person, not the argument (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the general form of Ad Hominem fallacy?

Person X is bad, so their claim is false (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an example of Ad Hominem fallacy?

The evidence suggests that smoking is bad for you, so it is true (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between Ad Hominem and other fallacies?

Ad Hominem is an informal fallacy, while others are formal (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between Ad Hominem and relevance?

Ad Hominem is a type of relevance fallacy (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main goal of using Red Herring fallacy?

To introduce an irrelevant claim to avoid conceding a point (C) Signup and view all the answers

In the example of Red Herring, what was the original topic of discussion?

The effect of wind farms on climate change (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of Red Herring fallacy?

It introduces an irrelevant claim to divert attention (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a different type of fallacy mentioned in the text?

Ad Hominem (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of using Red Herring fallacy?

The conversation is diverted to an unrelated topic (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the general form of Red Herring fallacy?

P is under discussion, and irrelevant point q is introduced (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between Red Herring and Ad Hominem fallacies?

Red Herring introduces an irrelevant claim, while Ad Hominem attacks the opponent's character (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of using Red Herring fallacy on a conversation?

It diverts attention away from the original topic (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main issue with the argument 'My opponent claims that the immigration issue is a human rights issue, but did you know that her own father is an immigrant?'?

The argument is a personal attack on the opponent (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of an Ad Hominem fallacy?

All of the above (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of pointing out the personal characteristics of an opponent in an argument?

To discredit the opponent's argument (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of fallacy?

Critical Thinking (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the fallacy that involves attacking the person rather than the argument?

Ad Hominem (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of Tu Quoque fallacy?

You're guilty of the same thing you're accusing me of (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main issue with the argument 'I hit my brother, which is wrong, but he started it, which is worse, so hitting him was okay'?

The argument is an example of Two Wrongs Make a Right fallacy (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a type of informal fallacy?

Ad Hominem (B) Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Informal Fallacies

Informal fallacies: arguments where premises are not relevant to the conclusion
Evidence has no bearing on the truth of the conclusion

Ad Hominem

Attack on the person making the claim, rather than the claim itself
General form:
- Person X is good/bad
- Person X says p
- So, p is true/false
Examples:
- Alex Jones is a terrible person, so we shouldn't listen to his claim that smoking is bad for you
- Dr. Anthony Fauci is a brilliant virologist, so Terry Pratchett must be overrated

Two Wrongs Make a Right

Fallacy of assuming that because two wrongs are committed, they cancel each other out
Example:
- Killing people is wrong
- But this person committed murder, which is also wrong
- So, killing this person is okay

Recap: Informal Fallacies

Fallacies of relevance: premises are not relevant to the conclusion
Examples:
- Personal character
- Personal motive
- Hypocrisy
- Actions of others
Faulty reasoning: arguments relying on irrelevant information

Red Herring

Fallacy of introducing an irrelevant claim to avoid conceding a point
General form:
- P is under discussion
- Irrelevant point q is introduced
- Now q is being discussed, and p is abandoned
Example:
- A: We should use wind farms to combat climate change
- B: You know, wind farms kill birds
- A: No, they don't; that's ridiculous
- B: Yes, they do! And the noise they make could cause cancer!