Chapter 1.A, Problem 11E

Analyzing Fallacies. Consider the following examples of fallacies.

a. Identity the premise(s) and conclusion of the argument.

b. Briefly describe how the stated fallacy occurs in the argument.

c. Make up another argument that exhibits the same fallacy.

11. (Appeal to popularity) Apple’s iPhone outsells all other smart phones, so it must be the best smart phone on the market.

12. (False cause) I became sick just hours after eating at Burger Hut, so its food must have made me sick.

13. (Appeal to ignorance) Decades of searching have not revealed life on other planets, so life in the universe must be confined to Earth.

14. (Hasty generalization) I saw three people use food stamps to buy expensive steaks, so abuse of food stamps must be widespread.

15. (Limited choice) He refused to testify by invoking his Fifth Amendment rights, so he must be guilty.

16. (Appeal to emotion) Thousands of unarmed people, many of them children, are killed by firearms every year. It’s time we ban the sale of guns.

17. (Personal attack) Senator Smith’s bill on agricultural policy is a sham, because he is supported by companies that sell genetically modified crop seeds.

18. (Circular reasoning) Illegal immigration is against the law, so illegal immigrants are criminals.

19. (Diversion) Good grades are needed to get into college, and a college diploma is necessary for a good career. Therefore, attendance should count in high school grades.

20. (Straw man) The mayor wants to raise taxes to fund social programs, so she must not believe in the value of hard work.