Biggest Argumentative Blunders

Basic Syllogisms If A then B A Therefore B If a then not b Therefore not B If (john is in Colorado), then (John is in the U.S.) (John is in Colorado) Therefore (John is in the U.S.) If (John is single) then (John isn’t married) (John is single) Therefore (John isn’t married)

Hierarchy of Argumentation Invalid Not Sound or Valid Valid Sound but not valid Sound Sound and Valid

Difference between Sound and Valid Sylogisms SQUARE Sound Arguments All sound arguments are Valid Conclusion logically follows from premises Premises are true Valid Arguments Not all valid arguments are Sound Conclusion logically follows from premises Premises can be true RECTANGLE

Some examples -If Jon is in Colorado, then he is in the U.S. -Jon is in Colorado -Therefore Jon is in the U.S. -If the Book of Mormon is true, then joseph Smith is a prophet -The book of Mormon is true -Therefore joseph Smith is a prophet -If Jon is in Colorado, then he is in Canada -Jon is in Colorado -Therefore Jon is in the Canada -If the Book of Mormon is true, then Joseph Smith is a Prophet -The book of Mormon is True -Therefore Joseph Smith is a Prophet

Ad hominem fallacy: Personal attack rather than an argument Common Blunders If Cody is funny looking, then Cody is wrong Cody is funny looking Therefore Cody is wrong. Ad hominem fallacy: Personal attack rather than an argument Poisoning the Well Because... Your argument is wrong: you aren’t an expert You’re biased You talk funny

Ad hominem fallacy: Personal attack rather than an argument Common Blunders If someone is a hypocrite what they teach is wrong Christians are hypocrites Therefore, christianity is wrong Ad hominem fallacy: Personal attack rather than an argument Tu Quoque Because you . . . as well/either, your argument is wrong: lie Hurt others Aren’t an expert

Ad Populum Fallacy: An appeal to majority. Often called snob appeal. Common Blunders If 75% of people support capitol punishment, then it must be ok 75% of people support CP Therefore CP is ok Ad Populum Fallacy: An appeal to majority. Often called snob appeal. Because most people . . . as well/either, your argument is wrong: Believe disagree

Non-sequitor Fallacy: Making an argument from unconnected issues Common Blunders Grass is green I feel depressed today Therefore the grass is to blame for my depression Non-sequitor Fallacy: Making an argument from unconnected issues

Common Blunders If you agree with Noah, Jonathan will beat you up. Therefore, Noah must be wrong. Ad Baculum Fallacy: Making an argument based of fear or threat, or perhaps other emotions. Because. . . must be right or wrong racism makes me sad, I am in love and it feels good

Common Blunders Evolution believes that we evolved from monkeys We didn’t evolve from monkeys Therefore evolution must be false Straw Man Fallacy Setting up someone’s argument falsely and then disproving the false argument.

Ad Verecundium: AKA argument from authority Common Blunders Becca is the smartest person here Becca believes in unicorns Therefore we should all believe in unicorns Ad Verecundium: AKA argument from authority Because. . . must be right or wrong The best scientists believe in evolution, it Michael Jordan loves Hanes

Common Blunders Red Herring Fallacy: Talking about an irrelevant topic to the subject at hand Because. . . must be right or wrong CSU has a good construction program, they must be good at football we don’t adopt babies, abortion must be ok

Red Herring

Common Blunders If you agree with Noah, Jonathan will beat you up. Therefore, Noah must be wrong. Slippery Slope Talking about an irrelevant topic to the subject at hand Because. . . must be right or wrong racism makes me sad, I am in love and it feels good