PERSUASION AND LOGICAL FALLACIES What are they and HOW do you avoid them?

PATHOS, ETHOS, AND LOGOS  Quick review! Pathos: appeal to emotion. Ethos: appeal using author’s credibility or background Logos: appeal to the audience’s logic and reasoning Sometimes, these forms of persuasion can lead to logical fallacies which is another way to say “flawed argument”.

HASTY GENERALIZATION  Also called “Leaping to Conclusions”  This fallacy occurs when a conclusion is reached with too little supporting information.  I.E., Two weightlifters I know take steroids, that means that ALL weightlifters take steroids.  Your claim should be supported by valid data. Too small sample sizes, and stereotypes are NOT valid source data.

HASTY GENERALIZATIONS 

SLIPPERY SLOPE  This fallacy occurs when one event happens and the speaker or writer assumes a chain of events occurring because of the one inciting incident. These are usually negative.  “We have to stop the tuition increases! Next thing you know they’ll be charging $40K a semester!”  This is illogical because there’s no way to know all the variables that lead to this conclusion. It is better to keep cause and effect to relatable information and supported arguments.

SLIPPERY SLOPE 

CIRCULAR REASONING  This fallacy occurs when your supporting argument and claim are the same. Thereby, echoing each other and offering no new information.  FOR EXAMPLE:  Pvt. Joe Bowers: What are these electrolytes? Do you even know?  Secretary of State: They're... what they use to make Brawndo!  Pvt. Joe Bowers: But why do they use them to make Brawndo?  Secretary of Defense: [raises hand after a pause] Because Brawndo's got electrolytes. (Idiocracy, movie)

RED HERRING  This fallacy occurs when one point is being argued and another non-related (but seemingly related) point is brought up to lead the argument down a different path, away from the original point.  "I think there is great merit in making the requirements stricter for the graduate students. I recommend that you support it, too. After all, we are in a budget crisis and we do not want our salaries affected."

GUILT BY ASSOCIATION  This is easily defined. Someone is considered guilty by their mere association with a (presumed) guilty party.  Tybalt hates Montagues, and Romeo is a Montague. Therefore Romeo is a no good, rotten scoundrel that must be killed.

AD HOMINEM  Literally “against the man”-this is an attack on the person. It takes three forms: Abusive: an attack on the personal or character traits of the opposition Circumstantial: irrelevant personal circumstances of the person making the argument are used to distract attention from the argument and used as evidence against it. Tu quoque: this argues that the argument is irrelevant because the speaker does not “practice what they preach”.  Attacking the person rather their views shows a lack of preparation and thoughtfulness on the speaker’s part.

YOUR TURN  In your group, talk about these questions:  Why should headphones be allowed?  Should the school have the right enforce dress code?  Should high school start later in the day?  Should employers be allowed to use social media to determine eligibility for hire?  Should marijuana be legalized in Texas?  Try to make an argument, and avoid these fallacies.