Exam 6: Logical Fallaciesii

"When are you going to stop cheating on exams? You can't stop? Then you must have been cheating." Identify the fallacy that applies to this example.

"The famous novelist Aldous Huxley, author of Brave New World and other great works of fiction, held that nearsightedness can be corrected by eye exercises. Given the opinion of so eminent a person as Huxley, we may be confident that nearsightedness can indeed be corrected by eye exercises." Identify the fallacy that applies to this example.

" IRS agent: Mr. Peckinsniff, there is nothing in these documents that proves that you haven't been cheating on your taxes. Therefore, I must assume that you have been." Identify the fallacy that applies to this example.

"We shouldn't let gays get married. If we do, before you know it, people will be marrying their brothers and sisters, animals, plants, multiple people, inanimate objects-it will be chaos. It will be a mockery of marriage. We can't let that happen." Identify the fallacy that applies to this example.

"Billy, I know you want to go to school today, but you have the flu and you should stay home. If you go to school, you might give the flu to some of your friends and classmates. They, in turn, might give it to their friends and classmates. Eventually, many students might get sick. Don't you think I'm right?" Identify the fallacy that applies to this example.

"All workers deserve to be treated with respect and paid a decent, living wage. Therefore, I pay all the employees at my chicken processing plant at least a nickel above the minimum wage and give them a half day off for Christmas and New Year's." Identify the fallacy that applies to this example.

"My psychologist said that quantum mechanics proves that the Eastern mystic doctrine of oneness is true, so it must be." This statement illustrates the fallacy of inappropriate appeal to authority. Identify the most relevant reason for the fallacy.

"Larry said that the State is now ahead 18-14 in the football game, but that can't be right. Two minutes ago, the score was tied 14-14, and it's not possible for a team to score 4 points in football. In football, you can only score in increments of 1 (with an extra point), 3 (with a field goal), 6 (with a touchdown), 7 (with a touchdown and extra point), and 8 (with a touchdown and a two-point conversion). Obviously, Larry is mistaken." Identify the fallacy that applies to this example.

"My wife is blonde and attractive and appreciates it when I give her sexy lingerie for Valentine's Day. My office assistant is also blonde and attractive. Therefore, she would appreciate it if I gave her sexy lingerie for Valentine's Day." Identify the fallacy that applies to this example.

"I was six years old and an only child, and I yearned to have a dog for a pet. My parents got me a cocker spaniel. I was happy beyond words. I named the dog Pooch, but as it turned out, I should have called him Lout, Thug, or Stinker. That dog was perfectly awful-vicious, disobedient, and pathologically territorial-and it refused to be housebroken. I learned my lesson the hard way: Cocker spaniels make dreadful pets. Don't even think about getting one." Identify the fallacy that applies to this example.

The fallacy of false alternatives need not be explicitly expressed in "either-or" form.

"Last night, Jen went into a house that everyone said is haunted. Last evening, she had consumed a few beers and had watched a scary movie. When she entered the house, it was really dark and there was thunder and lightning outside. Jen was certain that she saw something spooky in the master bedroom of that house. I'm sure that the house is haunted." This statement illustrates the fallacy of inappropriate appeal to authority. Identify the most relevant reason for the fallacy.

"Immediately after the governor spoke at the outdoor rally, a bolt of lightning struck City Hall, injuring several people. For the safety of all the residents of this city, it is imperative that the governor not be asked to speak here again." Identify the fallacy that applies to this example.

"Two years ago, I drank a Pond Water Lite beer; the beer was watery and tasteless. Six months ago, I drank a Pond Water Lite beer; the beer was watery and tasteless. Two weeks ago, I drank a Pond Water Lite beer; the beer was watery and tasteless. I guess all Pond Water Lite beers are watery and tasteless." Identify the fallacy that applies to this example.

"Officer, I admit I was driving 140 mph on this congested highway, but I don't deserve a speeding ticket. There is no speed limit on this highway, and the law requires only that vehicles be driven "at a safe speed," which, for me, is well over 140 mph. Also, I apologize for not pulling over sooner. I was talking on my cell phone and didn't hear your siren." Identify the fallacy that applies to this example.

If a person accepts a claim on the say-so of an alleged witness or authority and there is good reason to believe that the alleged witness or authority is biased, then the person commits the fallacy of inappropriate appeal to authority.

The fact that one thing is regularly followed by another is sometimes reason to think that one is the cause of the other.

"I think the moon landing was a hoax. Do you know of any proof it wasn't?" Identify the fallacy that applies to this example.

"I forgot to wear my lucky jersey, and my favorite team lost their playoff game. It's my fault they're not going to the Super Bowl." Identify the fallacy that applies to this example.

"The Flat Earth Society says that the earth is a flat circle, with the North Pole at the center and giant mountains of ice around the circumference to keep boats and planes from going off the edge. So, I guess the earth is flat after all." This statement illustrates the fallacy of inappropriate appeal to authority. Identify the most relevant reason for the fallacy.