An Adolescent Is Arrested for Shoplifting Cigarettes at a Convenience

Multiple Choice

An adolescent is arrested for shoplifting cigarettes at a convenience store. Officer: "We'll be taking you down to the station, where you'll be formally charged with shoplifting." Adolescent: "Why punish me? I just did some other smoker a favor. Smoking is harmful, so by taking those cigarettes, I may have prevented another smoker's death." What fallacy in reasoning has the troubled teen committed?

A) Faulty sign
B) Sweeping generalization
C) Red herring
D) Appeal to authority