Top Banner
English B1A Logical Fallacies
17

English B1A Logical Fallacies. Definition O Logical fallacies are flaws or gaps in logic that undermine an argument. O You should, of course, avoid using.

Dec 31, 2015

Download

Documents

Jocelin Johnson
Welcome message from author
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
Page 1: English B1A Logical Fallacies. Definition O Logical fallacies are flaws or gaps in logic that undermine an argument. O You should, of course, avoid using.

English B1ALogical Fallacies

Page 2: English B1A Logical Fallacies. Definition O Logical fallacies are flaws or gaps in logic that undermine an argument. O You should, of course, avoid using.

DefinitionO Logical fallacies are flaws or gaps in

logic that undermine an argument.O You should, of course, avoid using

logical fallacies in your own writing; you should also look for these when you’re critically reading as well.

O There are many different types, but we’ll go over those that are most commonly used.

Page 3: English B1A Logical Fallacies. Definition O Logical fallacies are flaws or gaps in logic that undermine an argument. O You should, of course, avoid using.

Hasty generalizationO A hasty generalization is a conclusion based on

insufficient evidence. Many stereotypes, for example, are hasty generalizations. O Asian students are exceptionally intelligent.

O Stereotyping is prevalent since we, as humans, like to categorize and group people. We also tend to see evidence that confirms our previously held beliefs.

O Many hasty generalizations contain words like “all,” “ever,” “always,” or “never”. Qualifiers like “most,” “many” or “seldom,” can increase accuracy and help you avoid making a hasty generalization

Page 4: English B1A Logical Fallacies. Definition O Logical fallacies are flaws or gaps in logic that undermine an argument. O You should, of course, avoid using.

Faulty AnalogyO An analogy points out similarities between

things that are otherwise different. They can be effective when handled correctly. However, the analogy can become faulty when there is an assumption that the two items are comparable when if fact they are not.O If we can put humans on the moon, we should be

able to find a cure for the common cold.O Putting humans on the moon and finding a cure

for the common cold are both scientific endeavors, but the problems confronting medical researchers and space scientists are quite different.

Page 5: English B1A Logical Fallacies. Definition O Logical fallacies are flaws or gaps in logic that undermine an argument. O You should, of course, avoid using.

Faulty CauseO When two events occur simultaneously or one

after another, we tend to see causal relationships between them: one caused the other. However, there could be a third, unnamed cause contributing to the outcome. Therefore, explaining a causal relationship is difficult and should be approached with care.O The chemistry course had a high failure rate.

Therefore, the professor was ineffective.O What other causes might be contributing?

O Large class sizeO Inadequate preparation of studentsO Lack of support resources like tutors on campus

Page 6: English B1A Logical Fallacies. Definition O Logical fallacies are flaws or gaps in logic that undermine an argument. O You should, of course, avoid using.

Either-Or FallacyO When we boil down a situation so

that there appear to be only two options when in reality there are more, we have used the either or fallacy.O Either you support the President in

everything he says and does or you are not a patriotic American.

Page 7: English B1A Logical Fallacies. Definition O Logical fallacies are flaws or gaps in logic that undermine an argument. O You should, of course, avoid using.

Non sequiturO Claims are backed by reasons. When the

relationship is between the claim and the reason is unclear, a non sequitur fallacy has been committed.

O Non sequitur is Latin for “does not follow”O Mary loves good food; therefore, she will

be an excellent chef.O How will enjoying food qualify her to be a

chef? What qualities do make people good chefs?

Page 8: English B1A Logical Fallacies. Definition O Logical fallacies are flaws or gaps in logic that undermine an argument. O You should, of course, avoid using.

Straw ManO A straw man fallacy sets up the

counter argument so that it is easy to tear down, a misrepresentation of the opposition.O People who think abortion should be

banned have no respect for the rights of women. They treat them as nothing but baby-making machines. That's wrong. Women must have the right to choose.

Page 9: English B1A Logical Fallacies. Definition O Logical fallacies are flaws or gaps in logic that undermine an argument. O You should, of course, avoid using.

Appeal to traditionO Explaining that we’ve followed a

procedure for a long time is not enough justification for continuing that procedure. O The appeal to tradition was a

common defense of slavery prior to the Civil War. People in the South explained that they knew no other way of life, and therefore the practice had to continue.

Page 10: English B1A Logical Fallacies. Definition O Logical fallacies are flaws or gaps in logic that undermine an argument. O You should, of course, avoid using.

BandwagonO The bandwagon fallacy is the

assumption that just because something is popular, it is good/right/acceptable.O If all of your friends jumped off a cliff,

would you do it, too?

Page 11: English B1A Logical Fallacies. Definition O Logical fallacies are flaws or gaps in logic that undermine an argument. O You should, of course, avoid using.

False authorityO When doing research, citing relevant

experts in the field is key in establishing your ethos and logos. If you cite an expert whose expertise is in an unrelated field, you have used the false authority analogy.O My friend, who is serving in the

infantry in Iraq, tells me that the government has a secret plan for how to win the War that they won’t release until after the election

Page 12: English B1A Logical Fallacies. Definition O Logical fallacies are flaws or gaps in logic that undermine an argument. O You should, of course, avoid using.

Ad hominemO When addressing the counter argument,

it is important to keep criticism relevant to the presentation of ideas rather than attacking people personally.

O “Ad Hominem” is Latin for “to the man”. It is a personal attack.O If you oppose the death penalty for

murder, you are a criminal at heart.

Page 13: English B1A Logical Fallacies. Definition O Logical fallacies are flaws or gaps in logic that undermine an argument. O You should, of course, avoid using.

Circular ReasoningO When supporting a claim, you need

to give reasons and evidence to back it up. Circular reasoning happens when, rather than giving reasons to support your claim, you re-state your claim in new words.O Wrestling is a dangerous sport

because you can get hurt while doing it.

Page 14: English B1A Logical Fallacies. Definition O Logical fallacies are flaws or gaps in logic that undermine an argument. O You should, of course, avoid using.

Guilt By associationO Arguing that all members of a group

are like some other members of that group, or are responsible for what those others have done. O Those who attacked the United States

on September 11, 2001 were Muslims; therefore, all Muslims are potential terrorist threats to the United States.

Page 15: English B1A Logical Fallacies. Definition O Logical fallacies are flaws or gaps in logic that undermine an argument. O You should, of course, avoid using.

Slippery slopeO To greatly exaggerate the

supposedly inevitable future consequences of an action by suggesting one small step will initiate a process that will necessarily lead the way to a much bigger result.O If you restrict my right to say

whatever I want anywhere I want however I want, this is the beginning of totalitarianism in America.

Page 16: English B1A Logical Fallacies. Definition O Logical fallacies are flaws or gaps in logic that undermine an argument. O You should, of course, avoid using.

Red HerringO Drawing attention away from the

issue at hand by focusing on an irrelevant issue as a substitute for making a case.O Why should we care about

endangered species when children starve to death right here in the United States?

Page 17: English B1A Logical Fallacies. Definition O Logical fallacies are flaws or gaps in logic that undermine an argument. O You should, of course, avoid using.

ActivityO Read through Rush Limbaugh’s

article “Sexual Harassment and the Feminist Front” Look for logical fallacies as you read. See if you can identify and label them by type.

O Now get into small groups of about 3 or 4 and share your findings. Be prepared to share your findings with the rest of the class.