phl310ca_r3_fallacies_arguments_assumptions_worksheet
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310CA
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Philosophy
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Dec 6, 2023
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Uploaded by PresidentGerbilMaster932
Fallacies, Assumptions, & Arguments Worksheet
PHL/310CA Version 3
1
University of Phoenix Material
Fallacies, Assumptions, and Arguments Worksheet
Part 1: Fallacies
Fallacy list
o
False analogy
o
Appeal to authority
o
Post hoc ergo proper hoc
o
Attacking the person
o
Two wrongs
o
Non sequitur
o
Equivocation
o
False dilemma
o
Slippery slope
o
Hasty generalization
o
Contrary-to-fact hypothesis
o
Ad ignorantium
o
Appeal to emotion
Each of the following arguments contains one fallacy from the preceding list, and each fallacy is used only once. Evaluate each argument
and determine which fallacy is used.
o
We can recognize that student athletes must be given special consideration within our grading system, or we can let the university’s
athletic department deteriorate.
False Dilemma
o
I don't know what colleges are teaching these days! I have just received a letter of application from a young man who graduated from
the state university last June. It was a wretched letter—badly written, with elementary errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
The state university does not deserve the tax support it is getting.
Hasty Generalization
Fallacies, Assumptions, & Arguments Worksheet
PHL/310CA Version 3
2
o
All right-thinking people will support the board of education's decision to destroy novels in the school libraries that are offensive to the
community’s moral standards. If an epidemic of typhoid began, we would expect health authorities to do all they could to wipe it out.
Pornography is worse than typhoid, as it corrupts the minds and morals of the young—not just their bodies. Members of the school
board are to be applauded for their prompt action in wiping out this moral disease.
False Analogy
o
Despite endless efforts, no one has been able to prove that God exists; therefore, we should stop trying and accept the truth: God
does not exist.
Ad Ignorantium
o
Alicia started gaining more weight when she started taking that weight-loss supplement; the stuff must be fattening!
Post Hoc Ergo
Proper Hoc
o
No sensible person would support the Equal Rights Amendment. If it were to pass, we would have women in combat and unisex
bathrooms. Eventually, we would not even be able to tell the women from the men!
Slippery Slope
o
How can Bill Clinton lead this country? He is a draft-dodging, pot-smoking womanizer.
Attacking The Person
o
Michael Jordan wore that brand, so those must to be the best basketball shoes.
Appeal To Authority
o
The difference in the outcome was Jefferson's missed field goal. If he had made the goal, our team would be going to the Super Bowl.
Contrary-To-Fact Hypothesis
o
Do not ignore the woman who gave birth to you, raised you, loved you as a child, and loves you still. Remember your mom on
Mother's Day.
Appeal To Emotion
o
So what if I didn't claim all of the money I earned on my taxes? Many people underreport their income.
Two Wrongs
o
That must be a great line of clothes. Have you seen the prices and the people endorsing it?
Non Sequitur
Part 2: Assumptions and Arguments
Using the texts for this course, the University Library, the Internet, or other resources, answer the following questions. Your response to each
question should contain a minimum of 150 words.
How do assumptions relate to the process of critical thinking?
An assumption is an unconfirmed belief. Usually, our conclusions are established assumptions that we fully have not thought through.
Whereas a critical thinker pays close attention to assumptions because they can be incorrect. All arguments begin with assumptions, If the
Fallacies, Assumptions, & Arguments Worksheet
PHL/310CA Version 3
3
assumptions are valid, then the conclusion is too. Being able to correctly identify an assumption is one of the greatest skills to have in
critical thinking. Assumptions tend to get in the way of learning and moving forward. With critical thinking, the assumptions are broken
down in a way to control their own assumptions.
What are the essential components of a logical argument? How does an argument’s structure affect its meaning?
A logical argument is the process of creating a new statement from statements that are already presented. There are three stages of a
logical argument. These stages are premises, inferences, and conclusion. Premises are actual reasons of evidence to prove your
statement. Inferences are statements that are united and then they come up with a new statement. The conclusion is considered the final
statement. Understanding the structure of an argument is important because it qualifies the reader to evaluate any given work
productively. If the structure is not intact it will significantly lack the correct information for the argument to be valid.
What are the differences between fact-based and opinion-based arguments?
Fact-based arguments are based on verifiable facts that can be proven to be true. Opinion-based arguments are based on your own
opinion, not facts, whether it is true or not. Fact-based arguments have physical evidence. An opinion-based argument can be an opinion,
with no solid proof that it is true or untrue.
What are formal fallacies? What are the two examples of formal fallacies?
A fallacy is defined as an error or mistake in reasoning. A formal fallacy is a pattern of reasoning that is always wrong. This happens when
there is a defect in the structure of an argument. For example, if you have the flu, then you have a fever. You have a fever, then you have
the flu. Another example would be, nothing is better than being happy. A turkey sandwich is better than nothing. So a turkey sandwich is
better than being happy.
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