Exam 15: Informal Fallacies

Each passage below is intended to contain a fallacy. For each passage, explain what the error consists in and provide the standard fallacy label that is most appropriate. -It is true that every event has a cause because everything must come from something.

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Question 1

Correct Answer:

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$\textbf{ Begging the question: }$ The reason given just assumes the very thing at issue.

Each passage below is intended to contain a fallacy. For each passage, explain what the error consists in and provide the standard fallacy label that is most appropriate. -Whenever the Boston Red Sox have been in the World Series I have always bet on them, and I have always lost. They must win the World Series this year since they have never won it. This must be their year!

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Question 2

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$\textbf{ Gambler's fallacy: }$ The mere fact that they have never won does not at all increase the odds that they will win this year. This reasoning is not any less fallacious if it turns out that the Red Sox do win.

Each passage below is intended to contain a fallacy. For each passage, explain what the error consists in and provide the standard fallacy label that is most appropriate. -Sixty-one percent of respondents to a recent survey by Nascar Today confirmed that a majority of Americans believe that Nascar races are more exciting than soccer matches.

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Question 3

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$\textbf{ Biased sample: }$ Although it may be true that a majority of Americans believe that, yet there is reason to think that the readers of such a magazine would have stronger positive feelings about Nascar races than the average American.

Each passage below is intended to contain a fallacy. For each passage, explain what the error consists in and provide the standard fallacy label that is most appropriate. -Every member of the U. S. Olympic Basketball team was an all-star basketball player in the NBA, therefore it will be an excellent team.

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Question 4

Each passage below is intended to contain a fallacy. For each passage, explain what the error consists in and provide the standard fallacy label that is most appropriate. -If this new drug works then I will be better in five days. I do feel better in five days. Therefore, this new drug works.

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Question 5

Each passage below is intended to contain a fallacy. For each passage, explain what the error consists in and provide the standard fallacy label that is most appropriate. -You can't escape bad karma! Jim broke his leg shortly after he failed to help a blind person cross the street.

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Question 6

Each passage below is intended to contain a fallacy. For each passage, explain what the error consists in and provide the standard fallacy label that is most appropriate. -No one has shown that there is no life on other planets, so I am justified in believing that there is life on other planets.

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Question 7

Each passage below is intended to contain a fallacy. For each passage, explain what the error consists in and provide the standard fallacy label that is most appropriate. -We either have to commit to having troops in Iraq for as long as it takes or we cut and run. We can't cut and run, so we must commit to our having troops in Iraq for as long as it takes.

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Question 8

Each passage below is intended to contain a fallacy. For each passage, explain what the error consists in and provide the standard fallacy label that is most appropriate. -We should not allow doctor assisted suicide. The proponents of that view think that doctors should be able to assist anyone who wants to commit suicide at any time, but clearly that would be unacceptable!

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Question 9

Each passage below is intended to contain a fallacy. For each passage, explain what the error consists in and provide the standard fallacy label that is most appropriate. -You should never lie. If you allow yourself to tell a lie about whether someone's haircut or new outfit looks good, then pretty soon you will allow yourself to lie to your spouse about what you bought at the mall, and then you will find yourself lying on your tax forms and whenever it suits you.

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Question 10

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Each passage below is intended to contain a fallacy. For each passage, explain what the error consists in and provide the standard fallacy label that is most appropriate. -It is true that every event has a cause because everything must come from something.

Each passage below is intended to contain a fallacy. For each passage, explain what the error consists in and provide the standard fallacy label that is most appropriate. -If this new drug works then I will be better in five days. I do feel better in five days. Therefore, this new drug works.

Each passage below is intended to contain a fallacy. For each passage, explain what the error consists in and provide the standard fallacy label that is most appropriate. -You can't escape bad karma! Jim broke his leg shortly after he failed to help a blind person cross the street.

Each passage below is intended to contain a fallacy. For each passage, explain what the error consists in and provide the standard fallacy label that is most appropriate. -No one has shown that there is no life on other planets, so I am justified in believing that there is life on other planets.

Introduction

Symbolizing in Sentential Logic

Truth Tables

Proofs Without CP or IP

Proofs With CP or IP

Sentential Logic Truth Trees

Predicate Logic Symbolization

Predicate Logic Semantics

Predicate Logic Proofs

Relational Predicate Logic

Quantifier Rules Theory

Predicate Logic Truth Trees

Identity

Syllogistic Logic

Inductive Logic

Axiom Systems

Filters