Fallacies, Assumptions and Arguments - Essay Example

Final Exam: Fallacies, Assumptions & Arguments PART I: FINAL EXAM: FALLACIES The following arguments contain various kinds of fallacies. Evaluate each and identify the fallacy using the matching list on the last page We can recognize that athletes that participate in sports must be given special consideration within our grading system, or we can let the university sink into athletic oblivion. Equivocation: In such arguments, the arguer shifts meaning in such a way that the reason offered may seem more convincing I don't know what colleges are teaching these days! I have just received a letter of application from a young man who graduated from the state university last June. It was a wretched letter--badly written, with elementary errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar. The state university does not deserve the tax support that it is getting. Non sequitur: In the above argument, there is no direct relationship between the argument and the conclusion offered. All right-thinking people will support the Board of Education's decision to destroy novels in the school libraries that are offensive to the moral standards of the community. If there were an epidemic of typhoid, the health authorities would be expected to do everything in their power to wipe it out. Pornography is worse than typhoid, since it corrupts the minds and morals of the young, not just their bodies. The school board is to be applauded for their prompt action in wiping out this moral disease. Post hoc ergo propter hoc: In this argument, improper cause-effect argument is used whereas there is no direct relationship between the argument used and the conclusion drawn from it. Despite endless efforts, no one has been able to prove that God exists; we may just as well stop trying and accept the truth: there is no God. Appeal to ignore: This type of fallacy occurs when arguer tries to deduct conclusion from his ignorance Alicia started gaining more weight than ever when she started taking Slimdown; the stuff must be fattening! False analogy: This type of fallacy occurs when the arguer tries to deduce inference from a weak hypothesis No sensible person would support the Equal Rights Amendment. If it were to pass, we would have women in combat and unisex bathrooms. Eventually, we would not even be able to tell the women from the men! Slippery slope: This fallacy occurs because the arguers believes that if the first step is taken, it would lead to the last. How can Clinton be leading this country! He's a draft-dodging, pot-smoking, womanizer!! Attacking the person: In this fallacy, the arguer attacks the person instead of proving against him on the sound judgment. Michael Jordan wore that brand, so those must to be the best basketball shoes. Appeal to Authority: In this type of fallacy, the arguer tries to convince on the basis of an influential person and convince that the act is valid because that authority also does that act. The difference in the outcome was Jefferson's missed field goal. If he had put it through, we'd be going to the Super Bowl. Fact hypothesis: In this fallacy, the arguer tries to argue with an unreasonable degree of certainty. Don't ignore the woman who gave you birth, raised you, loved you then, and loves you still. Remember your mom on Mother's Day. Appeal to emotion: This is an emotional appeal rather than based on any solid reason So what if I didn't claim all of the money I earned on my taxes Lots of people underreport their income. Two wrongs make a right: The arguer is trying to prove a wrong argument on the basis of another wrong assumption MATCHING LIST FOR FINAL Each argument commits only one fallacy, and each fallacy is only used once. False analogy Appeal to authority Post hoc ergo propter hoc Attacking the person Two wrongs Non sequitur Equivocation False dilemma Black and white (slippery slope) Hasty generalization Contrary-to-fact hypothesis Ad ignorantium Appeal to emotion PART I I: FINAL EXAM: ASSUMPTIONS & ARGUMENTS 1. How do assumptions relate to the process of critical thinking Assumptions relate to the process of critical thinking to the essentials of the logical argument comprising of validity, truth and soundness. Critical thinking is the evidences of judgment and of methods which are applicable for problem solving and collecting ideas being intellectual or emotional. This kind of thinking and its practices; develops a reliable and proportionate evaluation which are related to the beliefs of us. Skepticism, dogmatism and reason over faiths are rational to the wish thinking. As per for the logical and empirical ideas and their acceptances are emotional and all reasons are separate. What are the essential components of a logical argument Arguments are all around us and we go through them each day with out noticing or fighting on them. The essential components of a logical argument are that they; sound illogical to others but as they put their minds together they start to realize that you have convinced them and have satisfied their needs with your logical arguments. Creation of logical arguments gives the creator a quality to evaluate others easily and to point out the bad out of any logical arguments. What is the meaning of validity, truth, and soundness as they relate to the area of logical syllogisms Logical syllogisms are a definite part of argument which holds a conclusion. A complete range of logics may consist of a valid argument or void argument. A valid argument may contain a true or a false argument and the conclusion of the argument can result in being true or false. Validity has to do a lot with the logical form of syllogisms; some forms of reasoning are valid, some are invalid. Actually the truth or falsity is dependent upon the premises of an argument which are Irrelevant to validity. Soundness is dependent upon being complete truth of the premises in the true world and civilization while as in an imaginary condition only validity would play an important role What are the two formal fallacies Fallacies can be formal or informal, fallacies have different effects they can be invalid, unsound or weak. A formal fallacy is a defect which can be identified clearly just by looking at the logical or actual structure of an argument. The fallacy can be identified even if any special aspects are not put forward. Informal fallacies are defects which can be identified only through an analysis of the actual content of the argument. The main two formal fallacies are in which a reasonable argument is covered and have a mimic valid argument within while the other type posses true argument but in conclusion are based on false. Try your best. Don't Google and use your memory. 1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world. 2. William H. Gates 3. John Kluge 4. Carlos Slim Helu 5. Michael Dell 6. Kirsten Rausing Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest. 1. Rachel Smith 2. Tara Conner 3. Chelsea Cooley 4. Shandi Finnessay 5. Susie Castillo 7. Name ten people who have won the Nobel Prize or an Olympic gold medal. 1. Gerhard Ertl 2. Roger D. Kornberg 3. Yves Chauvin 4. Robert H. Grubbs 5. Richard R. Schrock 6. Aaron Ciechanover 7. Avram Hershko 8. Irwin Rose 9. Roderick MacKinnon 10. Peter Agre 11. 8. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for Best Actor and Actress. How did you do Did you remember all the headliners of yesterday I hope you flunked this part. These are no second-rate achievers and they are the best in their fields but the applause dies and most achievements are forgotten. Awards and certificates are buried with their owners. Was it easier on your brain The people who make a difference in your life aren't the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They're the ones who care about us want us. Read More