Topic: Logical Fallacies Topic: Logical Fallacies in Propaganda and in Propaganda and

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Essential QuestionEssential Question: Identify what you would : Identify what you would consider to be the most widely used “bad consider to be the most widely used “bad

argument” in this current election and give two argument” in this current election and give two examples of it being used.examples of it being used.

What is ‘ad hominim’?What is ‘ad hominim’?

Attacking the individual instead of the Attacking the individual instead of the argumentargument

Ex: You are so stupid that your argument Ex: You are so stupid that your argument can’t possibly be true.can’t possibly be true.

Ex: Romney is out of touch with America – Ex: Romney is out of touch with America – he makes too much money to have any he makes too much money to have any idea of how the middle class lives.idea of how the middle class lives.

What is a false dilemma?What is a false dilemma?

Two choices are given when in reality Two choices are given when in reality there could be more choices possiblethere could be more choices possible

Ex: You either did throw the crayon or you Ex: You either did throw the crayon or you didn’t. Which is it?didn’t. Which is it?

Ex: Either you vote to support the middle Ex: Either you vote to support the middle class or you vote to support the wealthy. class or you vote to support the wealthy. Why would you even consider voting for Why would you even consider voting for that other guy?that other guy?

What is a genetic fallacy?What is a genetic fallacy?

The attempt to endorse or disqualify a The attempt to endorse or disqualify a claim because of the origin or irrelevant claim because of the origin or irrelevant history of the claimhistory of the claim

Ex: I can’t take this test because you didn’t Ex: I can’t take this test because you didn’t teach me anything.teach me anything.

Ex: I’m not voting for Obama because I Ex: I’m not voting for Obama because I don’t think his birth certificate is real.don’t think his birth certificate is real.

What is a circular argument?What is a circular argument?

Assuming the thing to be true that you are Assuming the thing to be true that you are trying to prove. trying to prove.

Ex: I am a great student because Ms. Ex: I am a great student because Ms. Sisson says so. How can you believe Ms. Sisson says so. How can you believe Ms. Sisson? Easy, she’s my favorite teacher.Sisson? Easy, she’s my favorite teacher.

Ex: I don’t believe that Romney is Ex: I don’t believe that Romney is interested in helping me. How do I know interested in helping me. How do I know this? Because he said it in that video.this? Because he said it in that video.

What is ‘appeal to the popular’?What is ‘appeal to the popular’?

The person is urged to accept a position The person is urged to accept a position because a majority of people hold to it.because a majority of people hold to it.

Ex: The majority of people love to drink Ex: The majority of people love to drink Coke. Therefore, Coke is good for you.Coke. Therefore, Coke is good for you.

Ex: Everyone else is doing it. Why Ex: Everyone else is doing it. Why shouldn’t you?shouldn’t you?

What is “poisoning the well”?What is “poisoning the well”?

Presenting negative information about a Presenting negative information about a person before he/she speaks so as to person before he/she speaks so as to discredit the person’s argument.discredit the person’s argument.

Ex: You can’t believe her. She lies all the Ex: You can’t believe her. She lies all the time.time.

Ex: Romney keeps saying that he’s going Ex: Romney keeps saying that he’s going to balance the budget, but he never tells to balance the budget, but he never tells you what exactly he’s going to cut.you what exactly he’s going to cut.

What is a ‘double standard’?What is a ‘double standard’?

Applying a different standard to another Applying a different standard to another that is applied to oneselfthat is applied to oneself

Ex: Why should I donate money to feed Ex: Why should I donate money to feed hungry children in Africa, when America hungry children in Africa, when America doesn’t feed its own starving kids?doesn’t feed its own starving kids?

Ex: Romney stated that he believed in Ex: Romney stated that he believed in women in the work force, and then stated women in the work force, and then stated that he had “binders full of women.”that he had “binders full of women.”