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FALLACIES

Daniel AntesHannah MossTyler Thomas

&Emotional Argument

Attacking the Character Ad Hominem Argument: Attacking the opponent while ignoring what he or

she has to say or distracting the audience from his or her point

Try a thoughtful response in place of attacking your opponent

Popular amongst candidates, political parties and interest groups during elections while campaigning

Attacking the Character

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnOhH7F0QBA

Attributing False Causes Post Hoc Reasoning: Fallacy of false causation

CQCC

1. Usually found in the arguments of writers who are determined to prove the existence of various conspiracies

2. Amass impressive amounts of questionable evidence3. Logic should always recognize the distinction between causes and what might

simply be coincidences4. Found in more subtle forms in essays on abstract social problems

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onspiracies

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Attributing False Causes

Attributing Guilt by Association When people or ideas are negatively associated with other people or

ideas not necessarily related to themThis occurs often in politics

For example: a candidate with a certain faith will be blamed for actions of everyone with that same faith although nothing specific is argued, therefore that candidate is negatively associated just through hints

http://www.sultanknish.blogspot.comhttp://www.crystalgraphics.com

http://www.nydailynews.com

Begging the Question When an author begins with a premise that is acceptable only to those

who will agree with the conclusion that is subsequently reached Circular reasoning

This leads the author to “beg” the question he or she sets out to answer

Begging the Question

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2wj4Lk07RE

Equivocating Uses vague or ambiguous language to mislead the audience

Usually using one word multiple times in different senses when found within arguments

Commonly abused terms are:◦ Right◦ Society◦ Freedom◦ Law◦ Justice ◦ Real

Marely is a nobody.

But since nobody is perfect,

Marely must be perfect!

Equivocatinghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yI5d9yaQpCg

Ignoring the Question Used when wanting to avoid a question

Majority of the time the question will be acknowledged but ignored and the person will proceed to change the subject Example) When someone responds “I’m glad you asked that question” and

changes the subject. As well as attempting to turn it around on you with “Well what about you” or “Never mind that”

Technique is commonly used between:• Partners or friends • Politicians (known to exploit this technique when campaigning)

Jumping to Conclusions The conclusion in the question has not been supported by an adequate amount of

evidence

Be skeptical of arguments that appear heavy on opinion but weak on evidence

Some examples are:

• Just because one green apple is sour doesn’t mean all green apples are.• Just because you fail one test doesn’t mean you’ll fail the next one.

Opposing a Straw Man Commonly exaggerates the views of others

Responds only to the “extreme” view that does not represent the argument of the other person

Bill and Jill are arguing about cleaning out their closets: Jill: "We should clean out the closets. They are getting a bit messy." Bill: "Why, we just went through those closets last year. Do we have to clean them out everyday?" Jill: "I never said anything about cleaning them out every day. You just want too keep all your junk forever, which is just ridiculous."

http://www.nizkor.org/features/fallacies/straw-man.html

Presenting a False Dilemma A writer or speaker only presents a choice between two alternatives

All other possibilities are overlooked

It is implied that there are no other possibilities other than those proposed.

Think of a parent with a young child.In order to make the child comply with what he or she is being told, the parent will usually present a false dilemma.

• “Either you finish all of your vegetables, Charlie, or you don’t get dessert.” • “If you don’t pick a book to read you will have to just go to bed now.”

ARGUMENTDaniel Antes

Sliding Down a Slippery Slope

Emotional Argument

Caption: In Germany, 180,000 children are abused every year. Please contact your local youth welfare office if you have the slightest suspicion – Child Health Foundation

http://adsoftheworld.com/media/print/child_health_foundation_the_scream

Emotional Argument

http://www.pedigreeadoptiondrive.com.au/

Emotional Argument

http://sneakhype.com/dopeness/random-dopeness/2012/02/vintage-nike-ads.html

Emotional Argument

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