Deck 3: Informal Fallacies

Question 1

Even though Jackie is not very bright, she always gets good grades. Therefore, she couldn't possibly have cheated on the last test.

A) Accident.
B) Tu quoque (you, too).
C) Red herring.
D) Missing the point.
E) No fallacy.

Answer 1

Missing the point.

Question 2

People have the right to use their own property as they choose. Therefore, since Julian is the sole owner of this plot of land, he can use it as a site for a hydrogen bomb factory.

A) Division.
B) Missing the point.
C) No fallacy.
D) Accident.
E) Hasty generalization.

Answer 2

Accident.

Question 3

Paul Derrick, president of Big Tex Oil Co., says that we should open up all coastal waters of the U.S. to oil drilling. He promises that not a speck of pollution will result. Given Derrick's expertise in these matters, it follows that we should open up these waters immediately.

A) False cause.
B) Begging the question.
C) Argument against the person, circumstantial.
D) Appeal to unqualified authority.
E) No fallacy.

Answer 3

Appeal to unqualified authority.

Question 4

Ginger, I saw you outside the opera house the other night. Tell me, why don't you enjoy ordinary musical events, like normal people do?

A) Begging the question.
B) Argument against the person, circumstantial.
C) Appeal to ignorance.
D) No fallacy.
E) Complex question.

Question 5

Nobody has ever proved that Ouija boards can't be used to predict the future. It therefore follows that they can be used for this purpose.

A) Hasty generalization.
B) Missing the point.
C) Appeal to unqualified authority.
D) No fallacy.
E) Appeal to ignorance.

Question 6

Tim has lost money at the roulette wheel for the last five nights. Therefore, it is extremely likely that he will win tonight.

A) Slippery slope.
B) False cause.
C) No fallacy.
D) Complex question.
E) Weak analogy.

Question 7

Ferguson's argument in favor of deregulating the banking system isn't worth a hoot. Consider this: Ferguson is a banker himself, and if banks are deregulated, he will earn millions.

A) Red herring.
B) No fallacy.
C) Straw man.
D) Tu quoque (you, too).
E) Argument against the person, circumstantial.

Question 8

Never in the past two hundred years have tourists been able to book a flight to the moon. Therefore, it is unlikely that tourists will be able to book a flight to the moon in the next two hundred years.

A) Accident.
B) Hasty generalization.
C) No fallacy.
D) Composition.
E) Suppressed evidence.

Question 9

Fred's argument in favor of lowering the gasoline tax is totally absurd. Fred is a complete loser who has never held a responsible job, and in his darker moments he abuses animals and torments small children.

A) Begging the question.
B) No fallacy.
C) Suppressed evidence.
D) Argument against the person, abusive.
E) False dichotomy.

Question 10

Bertha argues that vitamins and special food supplements are a waste of money. But only yesterday Bertha was seen in a health food store, and her friends report that she takes vitamins every day. Obviously Bertha's argument is crazy.

A) Tu quoque (you, too).
B) No fallacy.
C) Argument against the person, abusive.
D) Appeal to unqualified authority.
E) Weak analogy.

Question 11

This carton contains heavy cream. Therefore, it weighs more than that identically sized carton of ordinary cream.

A) Accident.
B) Equivocation.
C) Amphiboly.
D) No fallacy.
E) Composition.

Question 12

This custard pudding is sweet. Therefore, every spoonful of this custard pudding is sweet.

A) False cause.
B) No fallacy.
C) Division.
D) Appeal to ignorance.
E) Composition.

Question 13

We don't dare allow the public school teachers to have another week of summer vacation. If we do, then the police will want the same thing. Then it will be the firemen, park rangers, highway patrol, social service workers, highway personnel, and motor vehicle workers. In the end, everyone will be working less for the same amount of money.

A) Slippery slope.
B) No fallacy.
C) Argument against the person, abusive.
D) Weak analogy.
E) Red herring.

Question 14

For the past several years, every time that Ruben has suffered a bout of sneezing, he has come down with a cold. Therefore, to prevent colds in the future, Ruben must constantly suppress the urge to sneeze.

A) False cause.
B) Equivocation.
C) Slippery slope.
D) Suppressed evidence.
E) No fallacy.

Question 15

Republicans are clearly better able to run the country because they're more experienced in handling money.

A) Slippery slope.
B) Hasty generalization.
C) Begging the question.
D) Missing the point.
E) No fallacy.

Question 16

Senator Smith, I know you will support the oil drilling bill before the committee, because if you don't, I'll make a huge contribution to your opponent in the next election.

A) Red herring.
B) Appeal to force.
C) No fallacy.
D) Straw man.
E) Argument against the person, abusive.

Question 17

Adrian argues that it should be illegal for private individuals to carry concealed weapons. Obviously Adrian wants to abolish gun ownership altogether. Just go out and confiscate all the guns. That's what Adrian wants. Well, the Second Amendment gives us the right to bear arms, so Adrian's argument is ridiculous.

A) Red herring.
B) Appeal to pity.
C) Straw man.
D) No fallacy.
E) Argument against the person, abusive.

Question 18

Frances, since you studied chemistry last year, you should know the answer to this. Is calcium a metal or a nonmetal?

A) False dichotomy.
B) Appeal to unqualified authority.
C) No fallacy.
D) Complex question.
E) Begging the question.

Question 19

Ted argues that CEOs should be prevented from selling stock they own in their own companies for ten years. But did you hear that Ted recently broke up with his girlfriend? They carried on a torrid affair for two years, and when she got pregnant, he dumped her. Enough of that. Let's move on to something important.

A) Red herring.
B) Tu quoque (you, too).
C) No fallacy.
D) Straw man.
E) Accident.

Question 20

Jackson and Sean are sixteen-year-olds with similar interests. Jackson loves the latest Nintendo video game. Therefore, probably Sean would love it, too.

A) Weak analogy.
B) False cause.
C) No fallacy.
D) Division.
E) Accident.

Question 21

Rich people tend to be snobs because they have materialistic values. Of course they have materialistic values because they fail to appreciate true human qualities. And why do they do this? Because they are condescending and haughty. Naturally they are condescending and haughty because they tend to be snobs.

A) Appeal to ignorance.
B) No fallacy.
C) Begging the question.
D) False cause.
E) Accident.

Question 22

Which of the following is presented as a factor leading to the commission of informal fallacies?

A) The arguer's irrational quest for power.
B) The defective worldview of the arguer.
C) A genetic predisposition to illogical reasoning.
D) Misfiring synapses in the brain of the arguer.
E) The intent of the arguer.

Question 23

A person of your status will surely want to buy a Lexus. Owning a Lexus is the ultimate expression of cultural refinement, exquisite taste, and financial success.

A) Appeal to ignorance.
B) Red herring.
C) Straw man.
D) Appeal to the people.
E) No fallacy.

Question 24

Protons are not combustible, and neither are electrons. It therefore follows that hydrogen, which is composed of protons and electrons, is not combustible.

A) Composition.
B) Weak analogy.
C) Division.
D) No fallacy.
E) Missing the point.

Question 25

What fallacy often involves collective predication in the premise of an argument?

A) False cause.
B) Accident.
C) Composition.
D) Hasty generalization.
E) Division.

Question 26

Either you pay my tuition to Stanford or I'll be doomed to a life of mediocrity. I'm sure you don't want that.

A) Appeal to the people.
B) Appeal to ignorance.
C) No fallacy.
D) Appeal to unqualified authority.
E) False dichotomy.

Question 27

Which of the following fallacies always involves two arguers?

A) Red herring.
B) Complex question.
C) Straw man.
D) Slippery slope.
E) Begging the question.

Question 28

The distributive predication of an attribute is found in:

A) Disjunctive statements.
B) Conditional statements.
C) Class statements.
D) General statements.
E) Presumptive statements.

Question 29

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.

A) Accident.
B) Division.
C) Appeal to pity.
D) Appeal to force.
E) Equivocation.

Question 30

"Greensleeves" is a lovely tune. Therefore, every note of "Greensleeves" is a lovely tune.

A) Division.
B) Accident.
C) Composition.
D) Weak analogy.
E) No fallacy.

Question 31

Given the argument, "If the sky is clear, then the stars are visible. The stars are visible. Therefore, the sky is clear." This argument is an example of:

A) A sound argument.
B) A formal fallacy.
C) A valid argument.
D) A fallacy of presumption.
E) An informal fallacy.

Question 32

Which fallacy involves a chain reaction of causes?

A) Begging the question.
B) Slippery slope.
C) Weak analogy.
D) Equivocation.
E) False dichotomy.

Question 33

The appeal to fear is a variety of:

A) Appeal to the people.
B) Argument against the person.
C) Appeal to force.
D) Red herring.
E) Appeal to pity.

Question 34

Which fallacy occurs when a general rule is applied to a specific case that the rule was not intended to cover?

A) Hasty generalization.
B) Tu quoque (you, too).
C) Composition.
D) Accident.
E) Division.

Question 35

Andrew said he petted his dog reading a newspaper. Andrew must have a very intelligent dog.

A) No fallacy.
B) Appeal to ignorance.
C) Equivocation.
D) Amphiboly.
E) False cause.

Question 36

Which of the following fallacies occurs in a valid argument?

A) Missing the point.
B) False cause.
C) Begging the question.
D) Accident.
E) Appeal to ignorance.

Question 37

Either Jane Austen was English or she was American. Since Jane Austen was not American, it follows that she was English.

A) Begging the question.
B) No fallacy.
C) False dichotomy.
D) Suppressed evidence.
E) Accident.

Question 38

Professional sports figures are not the clean, upright types people take them to be. Just look at Tiger Woods. He betrayed his lovely wife by engaging in extramarital affairs with several different women.

A) Weak analogy.
B) No fallacy.
C) Hasty generalization.
D) Composition.
E) Accident.

Question 39

Professor Friedman, the great constitutional scholar, says that the First Amendment is the most important part of the Bill of Rights. We therefore conclude that the First Amendment is indeed the most important part of the Bill of Rights.

A) Amphiboly.
B) No fallacy.
C) Appeal to unqualified authority.
D) Equivocation.
E) Argument against the person, circumstantial.

Question 40

It is permissible for physicians to write prescriptions for drugs. But chiropractors are health care professionals no less than physicians. Therefore, it should be permissible for chiropractors to write prescriptions for drugs.

A) False cause.
B) Complex question.
C) No fallacy.
D) Weak analogy.
E) Hasty generalization.

Question 41

None of Mr. Konrad's friends has ever seen him smoke a cigarette, cigar, or pipe. Therefore, probably Mr. Konrad is a nonsmoker.

A) Appeal to ignorance.
B) Complex question.
C) No fallacy.
D) Appeal to unqualified authority.
E) Straw man.

Question 42

Bill, I saw you at the party the other night. You were with a beautiful redhead. Level with me, are you still cheating on your wife?

A) Begging the question.
B) Tu quoque (you, too).
C) Complex question.
D) Division.
E) No fallacy.

Question 43

After getting settled in your new job, you will want to buy a home in the Woodland district. Woodland is true prestige, and all of our upscale employees live there.

A) Argument against the person, circumstantial.
B) No fallacy.
C) Appeal to the people.
D) Red herring.
E) Appeal to force.

Question 44

Lake Michigan contains fish. Therefore, every cubic foot of lake Michigan contains fish.

A) Division.
B) Accident.
C) No fallacy.
D) Composition.
E) Missing the point.

Question 45

During the four years that Allison has been president of the Westridge Retirement Club, five members have contracted diabetes. Therefore, to prevent any more cases of this disease we must elect a new president immediately.

A) Begging the question.
B) False cause.
C) Accident.
D) Slippery slope.
E) No fallacy.

Question 46

Either you enlist in the Marine Corps or you'll be a baby for the rest of your life. The choice is yours.

A) Composition.
B) Appeal to force.
C) Suppressed evidence.
D) False dichotomy.
E) No fallacy.

Question 47

Movie star Glitzy Glamour says in magazine ads that Sparkle cosmetics are fabulous. Given Glitzy's incredible popularity, we must conclude that Sparkle cosmetics are indeed fabulous, just as she says.

A) No fallacy.
B) Missing the point.
C) Appeal to the people.
D) Appeal to unqualified authority.
E) Appeal to ignorance.

Question 48

United States Marshals are allowed to carry loaded guns in the courtroom. But attorneys are officers of the court, no less than U.S. Marshals. Therefore, attorneys are allowed to carry loaded guns in the courtroom.

A) Weak analogy.
B) No fallacy.
C) Appeal to unqualified authority.
D) Hasty generalization.
E) Equivocation.

Question 49

The FBI and the CIA failed to prevent the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. Therefore, these government agencies should be abolished immediately.

A) Missing the point.
B) Red herring.
C) False cause.
D) No fallacy.
E) Hasty generalization.

Question 50

Betty's argument for changing the voting age is ridiculous. Betty dropped out of school after the seventh grade, and the most responsible job she has ever held is working as a clerk in a grocery store.

A) Appeal to unqualified authority.
B) Hasty generalization.
C) No fallacy.
D) Argument against the person, circumstantial.
E) Argument against the person, abusive.

Question 51

It would not be a good idea to hire Mr. Larson as a bus driver for the school district. Larson has huge cataracts in both eyes, and he hates children.

A) Argument against the person, abusive.
B) No fallacy.
C) Tu quoque (you, too).
D) False cause.
E) Division.

Question 52

The last three times I invested money in the stock market, stock prices declined. Therefore, to prevent further declines, I must stop investing any more money.

A) Missing the point.
B) No fallacy.
C) Straw man.
D) False cause.
E) Amphiboly.

Question 53

Stem cell research is clearly immoral because any activity that destroys human beings is immoral.

A) Complex question.
B) Appeal to the people.
C) No fallacy.
D) Appeal to ignorance.
E) Begging the question.

Question 54

Barbara argues that we should develop fuel cell cars that run more efficiently with less pollution. But look at what Barbara drives. It's one of those gas guzzling SUVs that pollute like a steam locomotive. Obviously Barbara's argument is worthless.

A) No fallacy.
B) Missing the point.
C) Appeal to unqualified authority.
D) Tu quoque (you, too).
E) Argument against the person, circumstantial.

Question 55

Jason is a terrible chess player. But every chess player is a human being. Therefore, Jason is a terrible human being.

A) Division.
B) Equivocation.
C) Amphiboly.
D) No fallacy.
E) Argument against the person, abusive.

Question 56

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.

A) Accident.
B) Begging the question.
C) No fallacy.
D) Hasty generalization.
E) Straw man.

Question 57

The first rule of good behavior is always be yourself. Therefore, professional actors, who adopt the role of someone other than themselves, are behaving improperly.

A) No fallacy.
B) Begging the question.
C) Tu quoque (you, too).
D) Weak analogy.
E) Accident.

Question 58

People don't have to go to college to make a lot of money. Look at Richard Branson, Chairman of the Virgin Group. He's a billionaire, yet he was a terrible student, and he dropped out of school when he was sixteen.

A) False dichotomy.
B) Hasty generalization.
C) Argument against the person, circumstantial.
D) No fallacy.
E) Weak analogy.

Question 59

During the past two hundred years no one has been cured of Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, it is unlikely that anyone will be cured in the next two hundred years.

A) Equivocation.
B) Amphiboly.
C) Suppressed evidence.
D) No fallacy.
E) Appeal to pity.

Question 60

Every thread in this shirt is pure silk. Therefore, this shirt is pure silk.

A) No fallacy.
B) Division.
C) Accident.
D) Composition.
E) Weak analogy.

Question 61

Maria's argument for abolishing the Immigration Service can't be trusted. After all, Maria is an undocumented immigrant, and if the Immigration Service is abolished, she will never be caught and deported.

A) Straw man.
B) Argument against the person, circumstantial.
C) Missing the point.
D) Tu quoque (you, too).
E) No fallacy.

Question 62

George argues that prize fighting should be outlawed. But many prize fighters have been great athletes-Muhammad Ali, Lennox Lewis, Rocky Marciano, and Joe Louis, to name just a few. Clearly George is mistaken.

A) No fallacy.
B) Red herring.
C) Appeal to unqualified authority.
D) False cause.
E) Straw man.

Question 63

Members of the jury, surely defendant Jones is not guilty of kidnapping the little girl. Jones loves children dearly, and during the first ten years of his marriage he prayed every day for a child. Finally, his wife gave birth to a little boy, but then she and the boy were killed in a car accident.

A) Slippery slope.
B) No fallacy.
C) Appeal to pity.
D) Appeal to the people.
E) Appeal to force.

Question 64

Which of the following fallacies arises from a statement made by someone other than the arguer?

A) Equivocation.
B) Argument against the person, circumstantial.
C) Amphiboly.
D) Appeal to force.
E) Appeal to the people.

Question 65

Which of the following fallacies involves distributive predication in the conclusion of an argument?

A) Hasty generalization.
B) Division.
C) Accident.
D) Composition.
E) False cause.

Question 66

Nobody has ever proved that the prophecies of Nostradamus are false. Therefore, they must be true.

A) Argument against the person, circumstantial.
B) Tu quoque (you, too).
C) Missing the point.
D) Appeal to ignorance.
E) No fallacy.

Question 67

A fallacy that can be detected by merely examining the form of an argument is:

A) A fallacy of presumption.
B) An informal fallacy.
C) A fallacy of relevance.
D) A fallacy of weak induction.
E) A formal fallacy.

Question 68

Given the argument, "All cats are animals, and some animals are mammals; thus, some cats are mammals." This argument:

A) Contains an informal fallacy.
B) Is strong.
C) Contains a formal fallacy.
D) Contains a disjunctive fallacy.
E) Is valid.

Question 69

Michelle said she saw a man get run over by a car while standing on her porch. We can only conclude that her porch was severely damaged.

A) False dichotomy.
B) Straw man.
C) No fallacy.
D) Equivocation.
E) Amphiboly.

Question 70

The bandwagon argument is a variety of:

A) False cause.
B) Missing the point.
C) Appeal to ignorance.
D) Appeal to the people.
E) Red herring.

Question 71

It would be a mistake to provide new gloves to the school's baseball players. In no time the football players will want new equipment. Then the tennis players will want new courts, the hockey players will want a new arena, the swimmers will want a new pool, and the golfers will want their own special course. The costs for these facilities will go through the roof.

A) Composition.
B) Equivocation.
C) Accident.
D) Slippery slope.
E) No fallacy.

Question 72

Professor Stevens, the great English scholar, says that Chaucer's Canterbury Tales represents a milestone in the development of the English language. Therefore, the Canterbury Tales must indeed be a milestone, just as he says.

A) Appeal to force.
B) No fallacy.
C) Amphiboly.
D) Appeal to unqualified authority.
E) False cause.

Question 73

Which of the following statements involves the collective predication of an attribute?

A) Sunflowers are yellow.
B) Fire trucks are noisy.
C) Wine is alcoholic.
D) Solar eclipses are infrequent.
E) Germany is in northern Europe.

Question 74

New York is located in the United States. Therefore, native born New Yorkers are native born Americans.

A) Begging the question.
B) Weak analogy.
C) Composition.
D) No fallacy.
E) Missing the point.

Question 75

George likes chocolate truffles, and he also likes Tabasco sauce. Therefore he would certainly like some chocolate truffles topped with Tabasco sauce.

A) Accident.
B) Appeal to pity.
C) Hasty generalization.
D) Begging the question.
E) Composition.

Question 76

Professor Carroll, of course you agree that all of us deserve an excellent grade in this class. Because if you don't, you'll get rotten evaluations at the end of the semester, and as a result, you may be denied tenure.

A) Complex question.
B) Division.
C) Appeal to pity.
D) Appeal to force.
E) No fallacy.

Question 77

Religious fanatics are basically crazy because they are deluded. Of course they are deluded because they believe nonsense. And they believe nonsense because they are hopelessly narrow minded. Naturally they are hopelessly narrow minded because they are basically crazy.

A) Begging the question.
B) Red herring.
C) No fallacy.
D) Straw man.
E) Slippery slope.

Question 78

The gambler's fallacy is a variety of:

A) Accident.
B) False cause.
C) Slippery slope.
D) Suppressed evidence.
E) False dichotomy.

Question 79

Which of the following fallacies always involves two arguers?

A) Complex question.
B) Argument against the person.
C) Red herring.
D) Appeal to unqualified authority.
E) Begging the question.

Question 80

Which of the following is presented as a factor leading to the commission of fallacies?

A) The arguer's desire to feel superior.
B) An anti-logical disposition in the mind of the arguer.
C) A lack of formal education.
D) A genetic defect in the arguer.
E) Presuppositions in the arguer's worldview.