Logical Fallacies Quiz Exam Questions
with Detailed Solutions
What is a Fallacy? - -Fallacies are defects that weaken arguments.
- Hasty Generalization - -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!" - -Hasty
Generalization
- Post Hoc (false cause) - -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." - -Post Hoc
- Slippery Slope (aka "the Camel's nose) - -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." - -Slippery Slope
- Weak Analogy - -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." - -Weak Analogy
- Appeal to Authority - -Often we add strength to our arguments by referring
to respected sources or authorities and explaining their positions on the
issues we're discussing.
with Detailed Solutions
What is a Fallacy? - -Fallacies are defects that weaken arguments.
- Hasty Generalization - -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!" - -Hasty
Generalization
- Post Hoc (false cause) - -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." - -Post Hoc
- Slippery Slope (aka "the Camel's nose) - -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." - -Slippery Slope
- Weak Analogy - -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." - -Weak Analogy
- Appeal to Authority - -Often we add strength to our arguments by referring
to respected sources or authorities and explaining their positions on the
issues we're discussing.
