Logical Fallacies Quiz UPDATED ACTUAL
Questions and CORRECT Answers
What is a Fallacy? - CORRECT ANSWER - Fallacies are defects that weaken arguments.
Hasty Generalization - CORRECT ANSWER - Making assumptions about a whole group
or range of cases based on a sample that is inadequate (usually because it is atypical or just too
small).
Example: "My roommate said her philosophy class was hard, and the one I'm in is hard, too. All
philosophy classes must be hard!" - CORRECT ANSWER - Hasty Generalization
Post Hoc (false cause) - CORRECT ANSWER - Assuming that because B comes after A,
A caused B.
Example: "President Jones raised taxes, and then the rate of violent crime went up. Jones is
responsible for the rise in crime." - CORRECT ANSWER - Post Hoc
Slippery Slope (aka "the Camel's nose) - CORRECT ANSWER - The arguer claims that a
sort of chain reaction, usually ending in some dire consequence, will take place, but there's really
not enough evidence for that assumption.
Example: "Animal experimentation reduces our respect for life. If we don't respect life, we are
likely to be more and more tolerant of violent acts like war and murder. Soon our society will
become a battlefield in which everyone constantly fears for their lives. It will be the end of
civilization. To prevent this terrible consequence, we should make animal experimentation illegal
right now." - CORRECT ANSWER - Slippery Slope
Weak Analogy - CORRECT ANSWER - Many arguments rely on an analogy between two
or more objects, ideas, or situations. If the two things that are being compared aren't really alike
in the relevant respects, the analogy is a weak one, and the argument that relies on it commits the
fallacy of weak analogy.
, Example: "Guns are like hammers--they're both tools with metal parts that could be used to kill
someone. And yet it would be ridiculous to restrict the purchase of hammers--so restrictions on
purchasing guns are equally ridiculous." - CORRECT ANSWER - Weak Analogy
Appeal to Authority - CORRECT ANSWER - Often we add strength to our arguments by
referring to respected sources or authorities and explaining their positions on the issues we're
discussing.
Example: "We should abolish the death penalty. Many respected people, such as actor Guy
Handsome, have publicly stated their opposition to it." - CORRECT ANSWER - Appeal to
Authority
Appeal to Pity - CORRECT ANSWER - The appeal to pity takes place when an arguer
tries to get people to accept a conclusion by making them feel sorry for someone.
Example: "I know the exam is graded based on performance, but you should give me an A. My
cat has been sick, my car broke down, and I've had a cold, so it was really hard for me to study!"
- CORRECT ANSWER - Appeal to Pity
Example: "It's wrong to tax corporations--think of all the money they give to charity, and of the
costs they already pay to run their businesses!" - CORRECT ANSWER - Appeal to Pity
Appeal to Ignorance - CORRECT ANSWER - In the appeal to ignorance, the arguer
basically says, "Look, there's no conclusive evidence on the issue at hand. Therefore, you should
accept my conclusion on this issue."
Example: "People have been trying for centuries to prove that God exists. But no one has yet
been able to prove it. Therefore, God does not exist." - CORRECT ANSWER - Appeal to
Ignorance
Questions and CORRECT Answers
What is a Fallacy? - CORRECT ANSWER - Fallacies are defects that weaken arguments.
Hasty Generalization - CORRECT ANSWER - Making assumptions about a whole group
or range of cases based on a sample that is inadequate (usually because it is atypical or just too
small).
Example: "My roommate said her philosophy class was hard, and the one I'm in is hard, too. All
philosophy classes must be hard!" - CORRECT ANSWER - Hasty Generalization
Post Hoc (false cause) - CORRECT ANSWER - Assuming that because B comes after A,
A caused B.
Example: "President Jones raised taxes, and then the rate of violent crime went up. Jones is
responsible for the rise in crime." - CORRECT ANSWER - Post Hoc
Slippery Slope (aka "the Camel's nose) - CORRECT ANSWER - The arguer claims that a
sort of chain reaction, usually ending in some dire consequence, will take place, but there's really
not enough evidence for that assumption.
Example: "Animal experimentation reduces our respect for life. If we don't respect life, we are
likely to be more and more tolerant of violent acts like war and murder. Soon our society will
become a battlefield in which everyone constantly fears for their lives. It will be the end of
civilization. To prevent this terrible consequence, we should make animal experimentation illegal
right now." - CORRECT ANSWER - Slippery Slope
Weak Analogy - CORRECT ANSWER - Many arguments rely on an analogy between two
or more objects, ideas, or situations. If the two things that are being compared aren't really alike
in the relevant respects, the analogy is a weak one, and the argument that relies on it commits the
fallacy of weak analogy.
, Example: "Guns are like hammers--they're both tools with metal parts that could be used to kill
someone. And yet it would be ridiculous to restrict the purchase of hammers--so restrictions on
purchasing guns are equally ridiculous." - CORRECT ANSWER - Weak Analogy
Appeal to Authority - CORRECT ANSWER - Often we add strength to our arguments by
referring to respected sources or authorities and explaining their positions on the issues we're
discussing.
Example: "We should abolish the death penalty. Many respected people, such as actor Guy
Handsome, have publicly stated their opposition to it." - CORRECT ANSWER - Appeal to
Authority
Appeal to Pity - CORRECT ANSWER - The appeal to pity takes place when an arguer
tries to get people to accept a conclusion by making them feel sorry for someone.
Example: "I know the exam is graded based on performance, but you should give me an A. My
cat has been sick, my car broke down, and I've had a cold, so it was really hard for me to study!"
- CORRECT ANSWER - Appeal to Pity
Example: "It's wrong to tax corporations--think of all the money they give to charity, and of the
costs they already pay to run their businesses!" - CORRECT ANSWER - Appeal to Pity
Appeal to Ignorance - CORRECT ANSWER - In the appeal to ignorance, the arguer
basically says, "Look, there's no conclusive evidence on the issue at hand. Therefore, you should
accept my conclusion on this issue."
Example: "People have been trying for centuries to prove that God exists. But no one has yet
been able to prove it. Therefore, God does not exist." - CORRECT ANSWER - Appeal to
Ignorance
