Honors iii argumentative fallacies
- 1. FALLACY arguments, like men, are often pretenders. ~Plato
- 2. In forming an argument you may appeal to: 1. Ethos = appeal to ethics or morality 2. Pathos = appeal to pity or the emotions 3. Logos = appeal to reason
- 3. Logic is where fallacies occur Fallacies are common errors in reasoning that will undermine the logic of your argument. Fallacies can be either illegitimate arguments or irrelevant points, and are often identified because they lack evidence that supports their claim. Avoid these common fallacies in your own arguments and watch for them in the arguments of others.
- 4. Appeal to Pity (Argumentum ad Misericordiam) A fallacy committed when pity is appealed to for the sake of getting a conclusion accepted. But Mr. Gonzalez, I have failed 2326 four times in a row. Dont you think I deserve to pass it this time around? How many times do I have to fail it before I pass it? Officer, I know I was speeding, but I just paid for a speeding ticket just last month. Can you give me a break?
- 5. Attacking the person (Argumentum ad Hominem) This is an attack on the character of a person rather than her/his opinions or arguments. Green Peace's strategies aren't effective because they are all dirty, lazy hippies
- 6. Argument from ignorance (Argumentum ad ignorantiam) This occurs when it is argued that a proposition is true simply on the basis that it has not been proven false, or that it is false because it has not been proven true. There must be ghosts because no one has ever been able to prove that there arent any. Since you cannot prove that there is water on Mars, then there must be water on Mars.
- 7. Appeal to popularity (Argumentum ad Populum) Jumping on the bandwagon The attempt to win popular assent to a conclusion by arousing the emotions and enthusiasms of the multitude, rather than by appeal to relevant facts. Since so many people are now using tattoos, it follows that everyone should get one before Christmas.
- 8. Prejudicial language Charged, loaded or emotive terms are used to attach value or moral goodness to believing in a particular proposition. Very different from loaded language. Any good Catholic would agree that abortion is tantamount to murder. Any reasonable IRS agent will agree that our income tax is way too high.
- 9. Slippery slope On the basis of a sequence of several unacceptable premises, an illegitimate conclusion is drawn. You should never gamble. Once you start gambling you will find it hard to stop. Soon you are spending all your money on gambling, and eventually you will turn to a life of crime.
- 10. False dilemma (either/or) A limited number of options (usually two) is given while in reality there are more options. Putting issues or opinions into black and white terms America: Love it or leave it. Every person is either wholly good or wholly evil.
- 11. Begging the question & Circular Reasoning The conclusion that the writer should prove is validated within the claim. He is an unjust man. Thus, it may be asserted that he is an unfair man. George Bush is a good communicator because he speaks effectively.
- 12. Appeal to authority An authority is appealed to for testimony in matters outside the province of that authoritys special field. An appeal to the opinion of a great physicist like Einstein to settle a political or economic argument would be fallacious. He may be an authority in science, but not government. President Bush has stated that walking is the best exercise for your heart.
- 13. Anonymous authority The authority appealed to is not specified. The authority is anonymous or unknown and thus unreliable. Government experts have reported that anthrax has been found in 95% of federal government buildings.
- 14. Straw Man This move oversimplifies an opponent's viewpoint and then attacks that hollow argument. People who don't support the proposed state minimum wage increase hate the poor.
- 15. Citations Logical Fallacies. Purdue Online Writing Lab. 2011. http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/659/03/ Fallacy. South Texas College. 2011. http://www.southtexascollege.edu/dev- english/PowerPoint/gonzalez/1302/Fallacies.ppt