Exam 3: Informal Fallacies

Either you buy me a new Rolex watch, or I'll be late for all my meetings. I'm sure you don't want me to be late, so you'll buy me the Rolex. How about that one with diamonds on the face?

Senator Carter, I'm sure you will be happy to cast the deciding vote for our request to drill for oil in the Big Glacier wilderness area. After all, we know your wife is a double agent for the CIA, and I'm sure you wouldn't want her identity made known to certain foreign governments.

I know that Harper is a millionaire, but he couldn't have earned that money all by himself-at least not honestly. Harper is a total fool without a shred of business sense, and he wastes every spare nickel on idiotic video games.

Which of the following statements involves the collective predication of an attribute?

This carton contains heavy cream. Therefore, it weighs more than that identically sized carton of ordinary cream.

Health care is a fundamental right. This is so because citizens have a right to the necessities of life. And this follows from the fact that life is a fundamental right. And naturally this is true because the state has the obligation to protect life. And why is this true? Because the state has an obligation to provide health care. And this follows from the fact that health care is a fundamental right.

Randy, you have a good eye. Tell me: Do you think this dress makes me look too fat?

Mr. President, I would advise you to go along with our plan to use your country as a base of operations for invading Iran. After all, I'm sure you don't want your country bombed back to the stone age.

During the two years that Abigail has served as president of the Crescent Society, several of its members have suffered from insomnia. Thus, in the interests of better sleep for these people, the Society should elect a new president.

Whatever is dull is stupid. This knife is extremely dull. Therefore, this knife is extremely stupid.

The vast majority of Americans believe in God. Therefore, you should believe, too.

It's never a good idea to allow your teenage kids to have a sip of champagne on New Year's Eve. Next you know they'll be drinking beer during TV football games. Then it'll be wine every night at dinner. Then Bloody Marys every morning. Soon they'll be raging alcoholics, and the costs for rehab will be enormous.

Oak trees are shady. Shady things are not to be trusted. Therefore, oak trees are not to be trusted.

New York is located in the United States. Therefore, native born New Yorkers are native born Americans.

Pauline's argument for stricter drug laws is as worn out as she is. Her brain has practically calcified, she can hardly remember anything, and she confuses the letter carrier with the gardener. I'm afraid we'll just have to pass over her argument.

Radio host Rush Limbaugh argues that the Affordable Care Act is doomed to failure. But who is this screwball Limbaugh? He's nothing but a fascist, sexist, homophobic, drug-addicted moron, who will say anything to stir up the ultra right. Every sane person should shut him off.

I can see that you don't want to adopt this little kitten. Why are you so heartless?

Maria's argument for abolishing the Immigration Service can't be trusted. After all, Maria is an undocumented immigrant, and if the Immigration Service is abolished, she will never be caught and deported.

While driving on the freeway a big truck cut me off when it changed lanes. A few days earlier another truck tailgated me, and yet another refused to dim its lights. The conclusion is obvious that truckers these days are as rude as they are reckless.

Which of the following fallacies occurs in a valid argument?