Question

Chapter 3 of the Logic Book is on Informal Fallacies. Clearly Identify or Name the Specific Fallacy or Fallacies Committed in these 10 Argumentative Passages

1. Sesame Street is the best show on television these days; and if you do not want to

accept that as true, then I will report you and would ask my older brother (who is big!) to beat you up. ____________________________

2. Either we require forced sterilization of Third World peoples or the world

population will explored and all of us will die. We certainly do not want to die, so we must require forced sterilization. _________________________________

3. Television entertainer Bill Maher argues that religion is just a lot of foolish

nonsense. But Maher is an arrogant, ignorant, shameless and self-righteous pig. Certainly, his liberal and atheistic arguments against belief in God are worthless and not worth listening to. _________________________________________

4. U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (from Massachusetts) argues that big banks have

been ripping off and stealing from the ignorant and poor American consumers for so many years. But it should be clear to all of us that she says these bad things about advanced capitalism and big corporations in order to scratch-up more campaign contributions from the same gullible consumers. For that reason, no one should take her arguments and politics seriously. ________________________

5. The editors of the Daily Register have accused our company of being one of the city’s worst water polluters. But come to think about it, the Daily Register has been responsible for much more pollution than any other business enterprise in the area. After all, they own the Western Paper Company, and evidence shows that that company discharges tons of chemical residue into the city’s river or waterways every day and seven days a week. _____________________________
6. Whoever thrusts a knife into another person should be arrested and send to jail.

But surgeons use knife to cut people up during surgery or operation. So surgeons should be arrested and send to jail. __________________________________

7. Everyone nowadays is on a low-carb diet. So you should also go on a low-carb

diet too in order to do what everyone else is doing. ______________________

8. I failed this easy course, because my teacher is an African and does not like me.

________________________________

9. I deserve a raise in salary this coming year. After all, you know how friendly I am

with your wife, and you do not want her to know what’s been going on between you and that young woman you are dating/flirting with. __________________________

10. I heard your testimony in court yesterday about the incident between you and

your spouse. I have to ask: “have you stopped beating your wife, yet?” Also “why do you tell such bogus lies about people and against your wife?” __________________

Answer 1

1. Sesame Street is the best show on television these days; and if you do not want to

accept that as true, then I will report you and would ask my older brother (who is big!) to beat you up.

Answer. In the given argumentive passage the speaker is using threat of force instead of reason to persuade. Hence, this argumentive passage has Appeal to force or argumentum ad baculum.

2. Either we require forced sterilization of Third World peoples or the world

population will explored and all of us will die. We certainly do not want to die, so we must require forced sterilization.

Answer. This passage presents premise with 'either..or' as if there are no other possible solution for the problem that has been stated in the argument. Hence, this is a False Dichotomy fallacy.

3. Television entertainer Bill Maher argues that religion is just a lot of foolish

nonsense. But Maher is an arrogant, ignorant, shameless and self-righteous pig. Certainly, his liberal and atheistic arguments against belief in God are worthless and not worth listening to.

Answer. The premises of the argumentive passage are attacking the character of the person of whom it refers instead of refuting his statement about religion by reason. Hence, this is a fallacy of Argument Against the Person Abusive.

4.U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (from Massachusetts) argues that big banks have

been ripping off and stealing from the ignorant and poor American consumers for so many years. But it should be clear to all of us that she says these bad things about advanced capitalism and big corporations in order to scratch-up more campaign contributions from the same gullible consumers. For that reason, no one should take her arguments and politics seriously.

Answer. In this argumentive passage the respondent attempts to discredit the opponent's view by referring it to some circumstances. Hence, this is a Ad Hominem Circumstantial Fallacy.

5. The editors of the Daily Register have accused our company of being one of the city’s worst water polluters. But come to think about it, the Daily Register has been responsible for much more pollution than any other business enterprise in the area. After all, they own the Western Paper Company, and evidence shows that that company discharges tons of chemical residue into the city’s river or waterways every day and seven days a week.

Answer. Tu-Quoque (you, too)

6. Whoever thrusts a knife into another person should be arrested and send to jail.

But surgeons use knife to cut people up during surgery or operation. So surgeons should be arrested and send to jail.

Answer. The Fallacy of Accident.

7. Everyone nowadays is on a low-carb diet. So you should also go on a low-carb

diet too in order to do what everyone else is doing.

Answer. Bandwagon Argument.

8. I failed this easy course, because my teacher is an African and does not like me.

Answer. Fallacy of False Cause.

9. I deserve a raise in salary this coming year. After all, you know how friendly I am

with your wife, and you do not want her to know what’s been going on between you and that young woman you are dating/flirting with.

Answer. Appeal to Force Fallacy.

10. I heard your testimony in court yesterday about the incident between you and

your spouse. I have to ask: “have you stopped beating your wife, yet?” Also “why do you tell such bogus lies about people and against your wife?”

Answer. Fallacy of Complex Question