PHIL101 Final Exam Questions with Verified
Correct Answers
Ad hominem (appeal to the person)
Attacking the person making an argument rather than the argument itself.
Appeal to emotion
Using emotional manipulation instead of logic to persuade someone.
Appeal to ignorance
Claiming something is true because it hasn't been proven false, or vice versa.
Appeal to pity
Trying to win an argument by making someone feel sorry rather than by reasoning.
Appeal to popularity
Claiming something is true or good simply because many people believe or do it.
Appeal to the person
Same as ad hominem; rejecting a claim based on the source rather than the content.
Appeal to tradition
Arguing something is good or correct simply because it has always been done that way.
Begging the question
Assuming the conclusion in one of the premises; circular reasoning.
Burden of proof
The obligation to provide evidence for a claim; typically falls on whoever makes the claim.
, Composition
Assuming that what is true of the parts must be true of the whole.
Decision-point fallacy
Arguing that because there is no clear line between two extremes, no distinction can be made
at all.
Division
Assuming that what is true of the whole must be true of each of its parts.
Equivocation
Using the same word in two different senses within the same argument.
Euphemisms
Replacing a harsh or direct term with a softer, misleading one to obscure meaning.
Fallacies
Errors in reasoning that make an argument invalid or unreliable.
False dilemma
Presenting only two options as if they are the only possibilities when others exist.
Faulty analogy
Drawing a comparison between two things that are not relevantly similar enough to support
the conclusion.
Genetic fallacy
Rejecting or accepting a claim based solely on its origin or source.
Correct Answers
Ad hominem (appeal to the person)
Attacking the person making an argument rather than the argument itself.
Appeal to emotion
Using emotional manipulation instead of logic to persuade someone.
Appeal to ignorance
Claiming something is true because it hasn't been proven false, or vice versa.
Appeal to pity
Trying to win an argument by making someone feel sorry rather than by reasoning.
Appeal to popularity
Claiming something is true or good simply because many people believe or do it.
Appeal to the person
Same as ad hominem; rejecting a claim based on the source rather than the content.
Appeal to tradition
Arguing something is good or correct simply because it has always been done that way.
Begging the question
Assuming the conclusion in one of the premises; circular reasoning.
Burden of proof
The obligation to provide evidence for a claim; typically falls on whoever makes the claim.
, Composition
Assuming that what is true of the parts must be true of the whole.
Decision-point fallacy
Arguing that because there is no clear line between two extremes, no distinction can be made
at all.
Division
Assuming that what is true of the whole must be true of each of its parts.
Equivocation
Using the same word in two different senses within the same argument.
Euphemisms
Replacing a harsh or direct term with a softer, misleading one to obscure meaning.
Fallacies
Errors in reasoning that make an argument invalid or unreliable.
False dilemma
Presenting only two options as if they are the only possibilities when others exist.
Faulty analogy
Drawing a comparison between two things that are not relevantly similar enough to support
the conclusion.
Genetic fallacy
Rejecting or accepting a claim based solely on its origin or source.
