Exam 7: Induction Fallacies

Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage. "Melinda has two dachshunds who lived to be over 15,so when she recommended a diet for Jobie,my Doberman,I figured she knew what she was talking about."

Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage. "Look at Bill Gates.He didn't go to college,and he's a millionaire.College is such a waste of time."

Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage. "Being overweight can't be all that bad for you.Eighty percent of the population over 25 is overweight."

"They say Japanese carmakers put out the best cars in the world,all things considered.But that can't be right-the Toyota I bought last year had to be returned to the shop five times!" This is

Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage. If you think the people of Phoenix are going to give up their rights to water from the Colorado River to Los Angelenos,you'd better think about it some more.Read the letters to the editors of the Phoenix newspapers,and you'll see what I mean.People are really hot under the collar about the issue.

Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage. "If you don't think having a good attitude promotes good health,look at how many 100-year olds have a good attitude."

Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or,where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text,by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue. No,I don't think I believe in "three strikes and you're out" for convicted felons.Next thing it will be two strikes,then one strike.Then we'll be sticking people in jail for life for misdemeanors.It's not good policy.

Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage. "Hello Mom? Yeah,it's me....Fine.Great,in fact.Massachusetts is super-I've never had so much fun....No....Yes! And listen,I've just met the most wonderful guy.And I'm sure he's rich.You should just see the expensive car he drives...."

Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage. A reliable statewide study found that one western town (which we won't name)had an unusually high rate of death from cancer.The study,done during the 1970s,showed the cancer death rate for white females to be 175.4 per 100,000,compared to 154.9 for the state.One resident dismissed the finding as follows:"Statistics! You can prove anything you want with statistics! There's no more cancer here than anywhere."

Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or,where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text,by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue. From an ad for APC (a power supply brand):30 million computer users don't trust the power grid.They do trust APC.Shouldn't you?

Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage. "Young people aren't interested in politics.We have more important things to do.My friends could care less who is elected president."

Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage. "Smoking behind our back will only lead to a life of crime,Junior."

Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage. "Jeremy died shortly after the chemotherapy treatments;I'm convinced it was the chemo that killed him."

Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage. "Her information about deceased people comes from sources in another dimension."

Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage. "Pete went into cardiac arrest while praying;so praying must have caused the attack."

Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage. "I recently met a young fellow who went to More Science High who really knew his stuff.He knew a lot more physics than most kids his age.They really do a good job at that school."

Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or,where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text,by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue. There must be a God.After all,people and cultures have always believed in some sort of a deity going back to the beginning of humankind.

Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage. Invest in real estate! Buy a house! It's the best investment you will ever make.Despite occasional temporary dips,home prices have always gone up.You can't go wrong if you buy a house.

Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage. "Once we let the federal government regulate mortgage lending practices,where will it stop? The entire free enterprise system-the backbone of American prosperity-will collapse under the weight of government regulation."

Identify the type of fallacy in the following passage. "I see your new car is a Honda SUV.My mom bought a Honda Civic last year,and she gets great gas mileage.You'll be pleased with the mileage you get with your car."