Deck 8: Fallacies in Reasoning, Part I

Question 1

I tried to play the tuba and failed. Then I tried to play the trombone, and I failed. Let's face it, I just don't have any musical talent.

A) Post hoc
B) Faulty sign
C) Hasty generalization
D) Faulty analogy

Answer 1

C

Question 2

The fallacy known as post hoc, ergo propter hoc, or simply "post hoc," involves confusing

A) Temporal proximity with a cause-effect relationship
B) A literal analogy with a figurative analogy
C) A necessary cause with a sufficient cause
D) An inductive leap with a deductive leap
E) A hasty generalization with a sweeping generalization

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Nadine is about to give $5.00 to a homeless person. Her friend, Mona, says, "Don't give him any money. They're all winos and drug addicts." Mona has committed which fallacy?

A) Sweeping generalization
B) Hasty generalization
C) Faulty cause
D) Faulty analogy
E) Slippery slope

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Reasoning based on a "domino effect" is often subject to this fallacy:

A) Sweeping generalization
B) Hasty generalization
C) Faulty sign
D) Faulty analogy
E) Slippery slope

Question 5

Most stereotypes are false, and most stereotypes are negative. When an arguer relies on a false stereotype, the arguer is committing a/an:

A) Sweeping generalization
B) Hasty generalization
C) Faulty sign
D) Faulty analogy

Question 6

Testimonials in infomercials are highly suspect, based on which fallacy?

A) Faulty analogy
B) Hasty generalization
C) Sole cause
D) Slippery slope

Question 7

"The same day that I bought this lucky rabbit's foot, I found a twenty-dollar bill in the pocket of my jacket. How can you argue with that?" The flaw in this reasoning is:

A) Faulty analogy
B) Post hoc fallacy
C) Faulty sign
D) Hasty generalization
E) Sweeping generalization

Question 8

All of the following can lead to a hasty generalization, except:

A) Assuming that what is true of the whole is also true of the part
B) Basing a conclusion on a small, nonrandom sample
C) "Cherry-picking" examples to fit one's claim
D) Relying on testimonials to generalize about an entire group or class

Question 9

According to FBI statistics, "9 out of 10 heroin addicts began by first using marijuana." However, one could also argue that 9 out of 10 heroin addicts began with peanut butter. Nine out of 10 people who try marijuana do not go on to become heroin addicts. The most significant weakness with the FBI's argument is:

A) Faulty analogy
B) Faulty cause
C) Faulty sign
D) Spurious correlation

Question 10

Enrique says, "Last semester I wore this shirt to a final exam and I got an 'A', so I'm wearing it to all my final exams this semester." The fallacy involved in this reasoning is:

A) Faulty analogy
B) Slippery slope
C) Faulty sign
D) Faulty cause

Question 11

"My horoscope said I would meet a 'tall, dark stranger' yesterday. Sure enough, I found a big, black, stray dog yesterday afternoon. I took him home to keep." Which fallacy is represented in this example?

A) Appeal to ignorance
B) Sweeping generalization
C) Hasty generalization
D) Post hoc

Question 12

According to the text, this fallacy occurs when insufficient cases are provided, or the cases constitute a nonrepresentative sample.

A) Faulty sign
B) Spurious correlation
C) Hasty generalization
D) Post hoc fallacy

Question 13

Identify the fallacy in the following argument. "No woman should be required to carry an unwanted fetus in her body for nine months. Every homeowner has the right to tell an unwanted or uninvited guest to leave. In the same way, a woman should be allowed to forcibly evict an unwanted fetus from her body."

A) Faulty sign
B) Sweeping generalization
C) Hasty generalization
D) Post hoc ergo propter hoc
E) Faulty analogy

Question 14

Superstitions, such as the belief that bad luck will result if a black cat crosses your path, are based on which error in causal reasoning?

A) Confusing coincidence with causation
B) Confusing a sufficient cause with a necessary cause
C) Confusing a necessary cause with a sufficient cause
D) Confusing a sole cause with a sufficient cause

Question 15

The old saying, "Where there is smoke, there is fire," is subject to which fallacy?

A) Faulty sign
B) Faulty analogy
C) Hasty generalization
D) Non sequitur
E) Post hoc

Question 16

In a post hoc fallacy "Q" is presumed to be the cause of "Z" because:

A) Z precedes Q closely in time
B) Z follows Q closely in time
C) Q and Z happen at the same time
D) Every time Z happens, Q happens

Question 17

"Smoking is now against the law at some beaches. Next thing you know, there will be a ban on smoking in outdoor venues, like stadiums, parades, and swap meets. What's next? Is the government going to ban Hostess Twinkies because so many Americans are obese? Is the government going to ban walking because someone might trip, or pencils because someone might get poked in the eye?" The most likely fallacy in this argument is:

A) Hasty generalization
B) Sweeping generalization
C) Faulty cause
D) Spurious correlation
E) Slippery slope

Question 18

Mistaking one thing or event as a reliable indicator of another thing or event is known as:

A) Faulty sign
B) Faulty cause
C) Faulty analogy
D) Faulty generalization

Question 19

Biff tells Rex, "I noticed a condom in Lulu's purse, so I'll bet she sleeps around." The most likely fallacy is:

A) Faulty cause
B) Faulty sign
C) Faulty analogy
D) Slippery slope

Question 20

Bruno tells Sascha that he thinks students in private schools outperform those in public schools, because students in private schools wear uniforms. The most likely type of reasoning that Bruno is using is:

A) Cause-effect
B) Sign
C) Analogy
D) Generalization

Question 21

Lyle arrives at Charles De Gaulle airport in Paris for a study abroad semester. The customs agent is rude and grills him about the contents of his luggage. Then, Lyle takes a taxi to his hotel. The driver is ill-mannered and cusses frequently in French. When Lyle exits the cab, he texts his friend, Darla, "Parisians are impolite and vulgar." Lyle has used:

A) A hasty generalization
B) A faulty analogy
C) Faulty cause-effect reasoning
D) A post-hoc fallacy
E) A faulty correlation

Question 22

An arguer who is relying on circumstantial evidence is using

A) Cause-effect reasoning
B) Analogy
C) Generalization
D) Sign reasoning
E) Reasoning by example

Question 23

Agree or disagree with the following statement: Once an argument has been identified as fallacious, it no longer deserves to be considered. As part of your answer, be sure to describe what a fallacy is.

Question 24

Explain the difference between correlation and causation, and why being able to distinguish between the two is important when evaluating arguments as fallacious or cogent.

Question 25

What is a slippery slope fallacy? Provide an example. Identify at least two ways in which a slippery slope fallacy can be exposed or refuted.

Question 26

Imagine that you want to explore whether paying people compliments leads them to be smarter. Explain how you might design a study using a "double-blind" procedure to examine this.

Question 27

What tests should be used to evaluate whether a causal argument is based on a cogent, "causal chain" of consequences or a fallacious "slippery slope"?

Question 28

When advancing a generalization, what are some ways of strengthening the argument and avoiding a hasty or sweeping generalization? Provide one or more examples to illustrate your suggestions.