Exam 3: Informal Fallacies

After spending an entire day fishing, Terry came back with a large minnow. But every minnow is a fish. Therefore, Terry came back with a large fish.

Nobody has ever seen Tyler play football, baseball, or go skiing or swimming, or engage in any other sport. Probably Tyler doesn't engage in sports.

Scientists have identified a "God gene," which they think is responsible for the widespread belief in a deity. Obviously God planted that gene in humans to ensure their belief in God.

Jordan argues against alcohol abuse in fraternities. What a hypocrite! When Jordan was a student he was the biggest binge drinker on campus. His arguments are a joke.

Members of the jury, surely you will not find Dr. Costello liable for amputating the wrong leg of his patient. During four years of medical school this poor man groped and struggled just to get by. Unlike his fellow students, he had no rich parents to pay his way. And during residency he was forced to work 16-hour days, rising before dawn and slaving away long after sunset. And now this lawsuit. Nobody deserves to be treated this way.

Nobody has ever proved that the Big Bang theory of the universe is true. Therefore, we must conclude that the Big Bang theory is false.

The bandwagon argument is a variety of:

This pamphlet from the hospital says I should eat right before surgery. Apparently I should go into the operating room with a full stomach.

When Edward turned the key in his new BMW this morning, the car wouldn't start. Thus, he should call a tow truck and have the car towed to the wrecking yard.

Katie has been squabbling with her fiancé about the details of their wedding. Thus, it would be a good idea for her to hire somebody to beat him up.

If a piece of jewelry is ugly, then it won't sell. Therefore, if a piece of jewelry sells, then it isn't ugly.

The Surgeon General recently issued a report arguing that one third of the cancer fatalities in the United States can be attributed to smoking. But this claim is ridiculous. Smoking produces a great deal of enjoyment for millions of Americans. What would life be like if you can't enjoy something once in a while?

After getting settled in your new job, you will want to buy a home in the Woodland district. Woodland is true prestige, and all of our upscale employees live there.

Most of the residents of the City Heights neighborhood are illiterate. Therefore, it would be a good idea to close the City Heights library. After all, nobody uses it.

Cynthia, you know a lot about geography. Tell me. Does Zambia share a border with the Congo?

During the past two hundred years no one has been cured of Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, it is unlikely that anyone will be cured in the next two hundred years.

Benny has argued for a long time for a new national park in Montana, but you really shouldn't listen to him. Benny owns a general store in the proposed vicinity, and if the park is created, he stands to profit handsomely from the flow of visitors.

Paul's argument against hiring undocumented immigrants is totally worthless. For six years Paul hired an undocumented nanny from Guatemala to take care of his kids.

Even though Jackie is not very bright, she always gets good grades. Therefore, she couldn't possibly have cheated on the last test.

Harry shouldn't be thrown out of college for cheating. He's been on academic probation for the past year, and this has caused terrible stress. The poor guy hasn't been able to sleep at night, he can't keep his food down, and he's constantly sick with worry about his future. Surely you can find it in your hearts to give him a second chance.