Exam 3: Informal Fallacies

William likes to eat. He also likes to make love. It follows that William likes to eat while he's making love.

Eddie, one of your friends was asking about you the other day. He wanted to know if you were still having sex with 14-year-old girls. What should I tell him the next time I see him? Are you still doing it?

My friend Connie used a green Bic pen to solve the problems on her last algebra test, and after the test was graded she got an A. So if you want to get an A in algebra, you should work all the test problems with a green Bic pen.

The fallacy in which the arguer attempts to lead the reader or listener off the track is:

Never in the past two hundred years have tourists been able to book a flight to the moon. Therefore, it is unlikely that tourists will be able to book a flight to the moon in the next two hundred years.

Gold Medallion wine is the finest wine in the United States. This is true because it's preferred by more people of discriminating taste. Furthermore, we know that it's preferred by more people of discriminating taste because it's the finest wine in the United States.

Either you send Hallmark cards or you don't care enough to send the very best. Surely you care enough to send the very best. Therefore, you will want to send Hallmark cards.

Pop singer Beyoncé Knowles says on TV, "Embrace your past, but live for now (by drinking Pepsi)." But you really shouldn't take these Pepsi ads too seriously because Beyoncé is paid millions of dollars to make them.

Jessica has played 8 games of Bingo without winning a single game. Therefore, her chances are much better for winning the next game.

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.

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

Astronomers study stars. Nicole Kidman is a star. Therefore, astronomers study Nicole Kidman.

Dog owners have asked that they be allowed to bring their pets to the beach. This request will have to be denied. If dogs are allowed on the beach, then soon we will have horses and cows. Before long there will be sheep, goats, pigs, and chickens. All that potential food will attract the owners of jaguars, lions, and tigers. In the end, the beach will be a war zone.

Which of the following fallacies involves distributive predication in the conclusion of an argument?

Old Mrs. Fogarty has won at Bingo on the last six weekends, which is quite remarkable. Therefore, she is almost certain to lose next weekend.

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.

Your little Tommy wants a slingshot for his birthday, but you shouldn't give him one. If you do, next he'll want a B-B gun. Then a 22 rifle. After that it will be a high powered rifle, and then an Uzi and an AK-47. Soon he'll want a bazooka and after that an antiaircraft gun. In no time your home will become an armory.

Which of the following fallacies always involves two arguers?

What fallacy often involves collective predication in the premise of an argument?

Nobody has ever seen Mr. Fearnside drive a car. He does own a car, though, but his wife is the only one to drive it. Therefore, probably Mr. Fearnside doesn't drive.