Exam 3: Informal Fallacies

Every component in this boat is made of rust-proof material. Therefore, the entire boat is rust-proof.

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.

Surely little Jimmy isn't responsible for burning down the school. A year ago, Jimmy's dad, whom Jimmy loved dearly, was killed in an accident, and ever since that time Jimmy has collected aluminum cans and mowed lawns to help his poor mother raise his six brothers and sisters.

Dr. Niels Langer, the universally recognized climatologist, says that global warming is an extremely important problem that must be addressed immediately. Therefore, we should take him at his word and get to work on solving this problem right now.

The gambler's fallacy is a variety of:

Every tile on this kitchen floor is light blue in color. Therefore, the entire floor is light blue in color.

Mr. Thompson, our jeweler, says that the stone in your ring is a sapphire. Since Mr. Thompson has an excellent reputation among jewelers, we conclude that the stone is indeed a sapphire.

Every word in this sentence is meaningful. Therefore, the sentence is meaningful.

Bob, in most respects you seem to be a bright guy. So that leads me to ask: Do you intend to continue voting for stupid Republicans?

A few days after Margi joined the Democratic Party she broke her foot and lost her job. Therefore, it's important that you never join up with the Democrats.

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

The Northern Express railway train is headed north. Therefore, every car on that train is headed north.

There is no possibility that Jenny could have knitted this beautiful scarf. Jenny can hardly count to 10, she has the dexterity of a bull moose, and she has absolutely no sense for style or color.

Mr. Quigley, who is a lobbyist for the oil industry, says that the government should subsidize oil exploration. In view of Mr. Quigley's credentials, it follows that the government should certainly do this.

Jim, it's clear that you want that job with the Acme accounting agency. Therefore, to improve your chances, you should tell the interviewer that if he doesn't give you the job you will kidnap one of his children.

Joe Bradley has thick calluses on both of his hands. Thus, it would appear that Joe does a lot of manual labor.

Either Thomas Jefferson or Alexander Hamilton participated in writing the Federalist Papers. But Jefferson did not participate in this project. Therefore, it was Hamilton who participated.

The Court Reporter said that after the jurors had heard the testimony of the convicts they were returned to their cells for the night. One can only conclude that the jurors' rights have been violated, since jurors are not supposed to be locked up in cells.

Either you spend $200 on a pair of True Religion jeans, or everybody will think you're out of style. It's up to you.

Frank argues that it's not a good idea for underage people to drink alcoholic beverages. Apparently Frank wants everyone to be a teetotaler. Bring back prohibition for good-that's what Frank wants. But prohibition was a complete failure in the thirties. Obviously Frank's argument is misguided.