The Fallacies Application Practice

Begging the Question The unfair and shortsighted legislation that limits free trade is a threat to the American economy.

Argument from Analogy The overcrowded conditions in some parts of our city have forced people together like rats in a cage. Like rats, they will eventually turn on one another, fighting and killing until a balance is restored. It is therefore necessary that we vote to appropriate funds to build low-cost housing.

Ad Hominem The public should not take seriously Dr. Mason’s plan ofr improving county health services. He is a former alcoholic whose wife recently divorced him.

Hasty or Sweeping Generalization Because our son really benefitted from nursery school, I am convinced that every child should go.

Equivocation As a human endeavor, computers are a praiseworthy and even remarkable accomplishment. Buyt how human can we hope to be if we rely on computers to make our decisions?

Red Herring The mayor has proposed building a new baseball-only sports stadium. How can he even consider allocating millions of dollars to this scheme when so many professional baseball players are being paid such high salaries?

You Also (Tu Quoque) How can that judge favor stronger penalties for convicted drug dealers? During his confirmation hearings, he admitted smoking marijuana when he was a student.

Appeal to Doubtful Authority According to Ted Koppel, interest rates will remain low during the next fiscal year.

Misleading Stats Women will never be competent firefighters; after all, 50% of the women in the city’s training program failed the exam.

Post Hoc Every time a Republican is elected president, a recession follows. If we want to avoid another recession, we should elect a Democrat as our next president.

Non Sequitur Disarmament weakened the United States after World War I. Disarmament also weakened the United States after the Vietnam War. For this reason, efforts to control guns will weaken the United States.