Logical Fallacies Test Exam Q’s and
A’s
slippery slope - -assumes that taking a first step will lead to subsequent
steps that cannot be prevented
- hasty generalization - -fallacy in which a conclusion is NOT logically
justified by sufficient or unbiased evidence
- post hoc ergo propter hoc - -concluding that since A happened before B, A
must have caused B
- circular argument - -restates the argument rather than actually proving it
- false dilemma - -conclusion that oversimplifies the argument by reducing
it to only two sides or choices
- ad hominem - -an attack on the person rather than on the opponent's
ideas. It comes from the Latin meaning "against the man."
- ad populum (bandwagon) - -appeal to the popularity of the claim as a
reason for accepting the claim
- red herring - -fallacy that introduces an irrelevant issue to divert attention
from the subject under discussion
- straw man - -fallacy that involves the creation of an easily refutable
position; misrepresenting, then attacking an opponent's position
- moral equivalence - -fallacy that compares minor misdeeds with major
atrocities
- slippery slope example - -If I let you stay out a half an hour, you'll
eventually stay out until 4am and then get arrested.
- hasty generalization example - -Four out of five dentists recommend
Happy Glossy Smiley toothpaste brand. Therefore, it must be great.
- post hoc ergo propter hoc example - -The picture on Jim's old TV set goes
out of focus. Jim goes over and strikes the TV soundly on the side and the
picture goes back into focus. Jim tells his friend that hitting the TV fixed it.
- circular argument example - -The Bible is the Word of God because God
tells us it is in the Bible.
A’s
slippery slope - -assumes that taking a first step will lead to subsequent
steps that cannot be prevented
- hasty generalization - -fallacy in which a conclusion is NOT logically
justified by sufficient or unbiased evidence
- post hoc ergo propter hoc - -concluding that since A happened before B, A
must have caused B
- circular argument - -restates the argument rather than actually proving it
- false dilemma - -conclusion that oversimplifies the argument by reducing
it to only two sides or choices
- ad hominem - -an attack on the person rather than on the opponent's
ideas. It comes from the Latin meaning "against the man."
- ad populum (bandwagon) - -appeal to the popularity of the claim as a
reason for accepting the claim
- red herring - -fallacy that introduces an irrelevant issue to divert attention
from the subject under discussion
- straw man - -fallacy that involves the creation of an easily refutable
position; misrepresenting, then attacking an opponent's position
- moral equivalence - -fallacy that compares minor misdeeds with major
atrocities
- slippery slope example - -If I let you stay out a half an hour, you'll
eventually stay out until 4am and then get arrested.
- hasty generalization example - -Four out of five dentists recommend
Happy Glossy Smiley toothpaste brand. Therefore, it must be great.
- post hoc ergo propter hoc example - -The picture on Jim's old TV set goes
out of focus. Jim goes over and strikes the TV soundly on the side and the
picture goes back into focus. Jim tells his friend that hitting the TV fixed it.
- circular argument example - -The Bible is the Word of God because God
tells us it is in the Bible.
