Logical Fallacies

Oct. 6th Finish the work from yesterday. Use this time wisely. If you are having trouble, focus on the following: Ad Hominem: Personal attack Bandwagon: Go with the crowd Either-Or Fallacy: Only two options Hasty Generalization: Jumps to a conclusion from not enough evidence Slippery Slope: Relies on fear. “If we allow X to happen, Y will surely follow.”

Oct. 4th, 2016 Warm-up “Once you hear the details of victory, it is hard to distinguish it from a defeat.” – Jean-Paul Sartre

Propaganda/Manipulation

Persuasion vs. Manipulation Rhetoric/Persuasion Valid Arguments Propaganda/Logical Fallacies/Manipulation Invalid Arguments/tricks to manipulate and control

Fallacy

What is a logical fallacy? A fallacy is an error of reasoning. These are flawed statements that often sound true 1. Used to persuade with manipulation tactics

Origins The word “fallacy” may derive from the Latin word fallere meaning, “to deceive, to trip, to lead into error or to trick.” The word may also derive from the Greek phelos, meaning “deceitful.” www.sun-design.com/talitha/fallacies.htm

Why study logical fallacies? It is important to develop logical fallacy detection skills in your own writing, as well as others’. Think of this as “intellectual kung-fu: the art of intellectual self defense.” (Logical Fallacies Handlist)

Ad Hominem – “to the man”

Ad Hominem (name calling) A person’s character is attacked instead of his argument.

Ad populum – “to the crowd”

Ad Populum A misconception that a widespread occurrence of something is assumed to make it right or wrong.

Either/or or False Dilemma Fallacy

Either/Or Tendency to see an issue as having only two sides

Lesser of Two Evils Tries to convince us of an idea by presenting it as the least offensive option. Often used during wartime to convince people of the need for sacrifices or to justify difficult decisions. Ex. During Cold War it was used to remind Americans why it was important to stick to rations during war, since it was better than living with Communism.

Faulty Analogy

Faulty Analogy Making a misleading comparison between logically unconnected ideas. The assumption that because two things are alike in some respects, they are alike in others. If we put humans on the moon, we should be able to find a cure for the common cold! If adults can legally drink alcohol, teenagers should be able to also!

Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc “after this, therefore because of this” Assuming that an incident that precedes another is the cause of the second incident. Every time I wear my blue sweater, it snows. OMG, MY BLUE SWEATER CAUSES SNOW!!!

Red Herring

Red Herring An argument that focuses on an irrelevant issue to detract attention from the real issue. A Red Herring is literally a SMELLY FISH. You basically say, “My back is against the wall. I cannot win this argument. HERE IS AN AWFUL SMELLY FISH TO DISTRACT YOU! Mom, I know I have ISS for tardies but at least I am not doing drugs like all those other kids up there!

Begging the Question

Circular Reasoning/ Begging the Question An argument in which the writer, instead of applying evidence simply restates the point in other language. Chicken nuggets are good. Why are they good? Because they are tasty. Why are they tasty? Because they are good!

FALSE AUTHORITY The person presenting the argument is an authority, but not on the subject at hand. Three types: Self Proof—”Because I said so” Spokes Person—”Because famous person says so” Too much Credit—”Because they are good at one thing, they know all things” I have a degree in Medicine and I am here to tell you the economy is about to FAIL! I have a degree in Medicine and I am here to tell you the economy is about to FAIL!

Bandwagon “Everyone has it”

Bandwagon Threat of rejection is substituted for evidence, desire to conform to beliefs of a group.

Non Sequitur (Does Not Follow) A conclusion that does not follow logically from preceding statements. Or the train of thought jumps the tracks at some point. Mary loves children, so she will make an excellent school teacher. (This support alone does not follow or is Non-Sequitor—If Mary is a murderer, or has a 50 IQ, she will not make a good teacher no matter how much she loves kids.) No one should grill their steaks. Cows don’t like smoke. (This does not follow because it does not make sense. The cows are dead. They are steaks.)

SLIPPERY SLOPE Like a muddy hill, if we go down this slope we will fall If we allow one thing a whole slew of other, negative events will occur as a result Ex. If we allow students to have ipods, pretty soon they will have entire systems out in class bumping bass all over the school. Ex. If we pass this health care bill eventually the government will take over the decision-making from patients and doctors

STRAW MAN The person attacks an argument which is different from, and usually weaker than, the opposition's best argument. Ignores a person’s actual position and substitutes an exaggerated or distorted version. Setting up a fake version of something or someone that is easy for others to not like. Ex. Katie, my shih-tzu, isn’t really hungry; she just wants us to get up all the time and cater to her every whim! People who think abortion should be banned have no respect for the rights of women. They treat them as nothing but baby-making machines. That's wrong. Women must have the right to choose.

Poisoning the Well Discrediting what a person might later claim by presenting unfavorable information in advance. Senator Creavey was once arrested for tax evasion.

Oversimplification Tendency to provide simple solutions to complex problems. Ex. To avoid drunk driving accidents restaurants should just stop selling alcohol.

Card Stacking (Selective Omission) Presenting positive information only and omitting negative information.

Pinpointing the Enemy Attempt to simplify a complex situation by presenting one specific group or person as the enemy (clear-cut right and wrong).

Plain Folks Convince their audience that they and their ideas are “of the people.” Ex. Jimmy Carter presented himself as a humble peanut farmer from Georgia during his election term.

Transfer Attempt to make the subject view a certain item the same way they view another item to link the 2 in the subjects mind.

Hasty Generalization essentially making a hasty conclusion without considering all of the variables (similar to stereotypes) Ex. All women are bad drivers.

Oct. 5th, 2016 Warm-up: Watch the video clip and determine what logical fallacies are being used. All you need to do is make a list of the ones that are being used.

End of Class Quiz Explain the logical fallacy in each of the following statements: Unless you can close your eyes to abuse, write a check to save this puppy. Both of my parents smoked all their lives, and they lived into their eighties, so cigarettes can’t really be that bad for you. Don’t ever gamble! Once you start, you won’t be able to stop, and you’ll end up bankrupt. People from big cities are not as friendly as those from small towns. He can’t be a great athlete; he cheated on his wife. If you’re not part of the solution, then you’re part of the problem.

Assignment Due at The End of Class Read the Argument against Senate Constitution Amendment No. 8 On a separate sheet of paper, write down the logical fallacies (with evidence) that oppose granting voting rights (called suffrage) to women.

Advisory DEAR, SSR, Something silent. Give me a summary of what you read today. At least 5 sentences long.