Logical Fallacies PDF

Rosario Integrated National High School English for Academic and Professional Purposes Mrs. Lucille M. Bagsic  Objectives Example 2 Example 3 Identify factors Present Determine on authenticity...

Rosario Integrated National High School English for Academic and Professional Purposes Mrs. Lucille M. Bagsic  Objectives Example 2 Example 3 Identify factors Present Determine on authenticity reasonable different kinds and validity of arguments and of logical evidences/inform factual fallacy ation evidences to defend a stand  True or False True or False Instructions: Read the statement below. If it is true, draw If it is false, draw  True or False 1. Logical fallacies are errors in reasoning that invalidates an argument.  True or False 2. Opinions are better than facts in supporting an argument.  True or False 3. Statistics can be used as evidence to support an argument.  True or False 4. Evidence from expert interviews can strengthen your stand.  True or False 5. Bandwagon occurs when someone tries to refute an argument by attacking the character of a person instead of attacking the ideas of the argument.  “Which would you follow, the decision that your mind is saying or the choice that your heart is dictating?” LOGICAL FALLACIES are ERRORS IN REASONING that INVALIDATE AN ARGUMENT.  False Dilemma Occurs when an arguer presents his/her argument as one of only two options despite the presence of multiple possibilities If we don't order pizza for dinner, we'll have to eat the week-old spaghetti in the fridge.  Appeal to Ignorance Occurs when something is instantly concluded to be true just because it is not proven to be false, and vice versa She hasn't said she doesn't like you, right? So she's probably interested. Call her up.  Slippery Slope Occurs when a series of increasingly superficial and unacceptable consequences is drawn If we ban computer shops, then students will not be able to do research. And if they do not have tools for research, these students will fail their subjects.  Appeal to Force (Argumentum Ad Baculum) Occurs when a threat, instead of reasoning is used to argue If you do not admit that evolution is not real, we will remove you from the group.  Appeal to Pity Occurs when the element of pity is used instead of logical reasoning Please do not fire me for being absent all month; I have a sick mother and a special child to support.  Appeal to Consequences Occurs when unpleasant consequences of believing something are pointed out to show that the belief is false If you do not believe in God, you will go to Hell.  Bandwagon (argumentum ad populum) Occurs when an argument is considered to be valid because it is what the majority thinks Most Filipinas want to have fair skin because they think they look beautiful. Therefore, having fair skin must be the real standard of beauty.  Attacking the Person Occurs when someone tries to refute an argument by attacking the character of a person instead of attacking the ideas of the argument I cannot accept your argument because, unlike me, you were not educated at Harvard University.  Anonymous Authority The authority in question is not mentioned or named Experts claim that eating peanuts causes pimples.  Hasty Generalization (Dicto Simpliciter) Occurs when a sample is not significant enough to support a generalization about a population That teenager lied to me, so you should never trust any teenagers.  False Analogy Occurs when a writer assumes that two concepts that are similar in some ways are also similar in other ways Joan and Mary both drive pickup trucks. Since Joan is a teacher, Mary must also be a teacher.  Fallacy of accident Occurs when a general rule is applied to a situation, even when it should be an exception Jaywalking is not allowed, so you should not have done that even when you were being chased by terrorists.  Post Hoc (post hoc ergo propter hoc ) It is an informal fallacy that states: “Since event A followed event B, event A must have been caused by event B.” A black cat crossed my path, and then I got into a car accident. The black cat caused the car accident.  Irrelevant Conclusion (ignoratio elenchi) Occurs when an argument which is supposed to prove something concludes something else instead We must support the fight for gender equality men and women. Women have suffered enough violence at home. Violence against women must be stopped  Straw Man Occurs when the position of the opposition is twisted so that it is easier to refute Politician A: Providing medicare for all citizens would be costly and a danger to the free market. Politician B: You don't care if people die from not having healthcare.  Affirming the Consequent (converse error) If A is true then B is true; If B is true therefore A is true I have the flu then I’ll have a fever. I have a fever. Therefore, I have the flu.  Denying the Antecedent Any argument of the form: If A is true then B is true; If A is not true then B is not true If she’s human, then she has a brain. But if she is a dog (not a human), then she does not have a brain.