Fallacy Detective TEST REVIEW Questions with
Verified Correct Answers
A Fallacy
This is an error in logic. Someone has made a mistake in his thinking.
Red Herring
Whenever we introduce something irrelevant into an argument, we are avoiding the question.
Special Pleading
When someone uses a double standard or argues for an unjustified exception, he is committing
this fallacy.
Ad Hominem
Sometimes people attack the person making an argument instead of the argument itself.
Genetic Fallacy
This fallacy does not attack the person himself, but is condemning an argument because of where
it began, how it began, or who began it.
Tu Quoque
Is dismissing someone's view on an issue because it appears that he is a hypocrite for he does the
very thing he's condemning.
Faulty Appeal to Authority
Is trusting an expert in some other field, but who is not in the field under discussion.
, Appeal to the People
It's OK because everyone else does it.
Straw Man
Is changing or exaggerating an opponent's position to make it easier to refute.
Assumptions
Be aware of your own presuppositions
Circular Reasoning
An argument which says "P" is true because "Q" is true, and "Q" is true because "P" is true.
Equivocation
This fallacy changes the meaning of a word in the middle of an argument.
Loaded Question
This is when someone asks one question but another question is actually hidden or implied
underneath the 1st question.
Slippery Slope
Assumes that if we take one step, nothing will stop us from taking a series of steps because each
step is the same.
Part to Whole
Is when someone says that what is true of part of something, then it must also be true for each
individual part.
Verified Correct Answers
A Fallacy
This is an error in logic. Someone has made a mistake in his thinking.
Red Herring
Whenever we introduce something irrelevant into an argument, we are avoiding the question.
Special Pleading
When someone uses a double standard or argues for an unjustified exception, he is committing
this fallacy.
Ad Hominem
Sometimes people attack the person making an argument instead of the argument itself.
Genetic Fallacy
This fallacy does not attack the person himself, but is condemning an argument because of where
it began, how it began, or who began it.
Tu Quoque
Is dismissing someone's view on an issue because it appears that he is a hypocrite for he does the
very thing he's condemning.
Faulty Appeal to Authority
Is trusting an expert in some other field, but who is not in the field under discussion.
, Appeal to the People
It's OK because everyone else does it.
Straw Man
Is changing or exaggerating an opponent's position to make it easier to refute.
Assumptions
Be aware of your own presuppositions
Circular Reasoning
An argument which says "P" is true because "Q" is true, and "Q" is true because "P" is true.
Equivocation
This fallacy changes the meaning of a word in the middle of an argument.
Loaded Question
This is when someone asks one question but another question is actually hidden or implied
underneath the 1st question.
Slippery Slope
Assumes that if we take one step, nothing will stop us from taking a series of steps because each
step is the same.
Part to Whole
Is when someone says that what is true of part of something, then it must also be true for each
individual part.