HU345 CRITICAL THINKING Unit Five Seminar

Fallacies of Irrelevance  These come from people introducing irrelevant and misleading ideas into an argument in order to distract the dialogue away from the main issue.

Appeal to Force (ad baculum)  Occurs whenever an arguer poses a conclusion to another person and tells the person either implicitly or explicitly that some harm will come to them if they do not accept the conclusion.

Ad Hominem  Means “To the person”  Abusive Ad Hominem: Attack of the person, usually character or truthfulness.  Circumstantial Ad Hominem: Pointing the persons circumstances as their reason for their belief. (poisoning the well)  Tu quoque (intended to show some hypocrisy on the part of the opponent)

The Genetic Fallacy  This argument explicitly appeals to the source of an argument—specifically the historical source.  This is a type of ad hominem fallacy.  “Anti-smoking campaigns cannot be good because Nazi’s were the first to support them.”

Guilt by Association  This fallacy claims that because something is associated with someone that is liked or despised, the thing itself should also be liked or despised.  “I’m not voting for Smith, he was a diplomat during the Bush administration!”

Responding to a Personal Attack  What are the most constructive ways to respond when you are personally attacked?

Possible Responses  You too!: Respond with another personal attack.  Challenge the personal attack as irrelevant.  Move the discussion back to the main argument.

Appeal to Pity (ad misericordiam) The arguer attempts to support his or her conclusion merely by evoking pity from the listener. Lawyers frequently use this ploy on behalf of clients. So do students, on behalf of themselves, come final grade time.

Ad populum  This sort of argument involves the evoking people’s desire for esteem, recognition, acceptance, vanity, or snobbery to get the listener to accept a conclusion. It may appeal to the bandwagon effect, to vanity, or to snobbery.  Approach used by propagandists and demagogues to awaken the mob mentality.

The Bandwagon Fallacy  This is a type of ad populum.  It makes reference to what people do rather than what they believe.  “Everyone steals office supplies, it must really be ok.”

Snob Appeal  This also is a type of ad populum.  This type appeals specifically to group identification.  “You shouldn’t buy jeans from Walmart! Do you want people knowing you shop there?”

Appeal to Authority  This is an unreasonable appeal to authority.  There are three types:  Irrelevant expertise: appeals to authority from the wrong field  Vague authority: appeal to authority is vague; “experts say…”  Name-brand authority: appeal via endorsement

The Red Herring Fallacy  This is a rhetorical strategy of changing the subject. One topic is under discussion but another is subtly introduced to replace it.  In a debate over reducing vehicle emissions:  “Fine, auto emissions standards are bad, but the auto industry and its manufacturing branches provide jobs for thousands of Americans.”

The Strawman Fallacy  The arguer distorts his or her opponent’s argument and attacks that distortion, rather than the original argument.  “The workers are demanding a 10 cent raise. I don't understand why they want to put us out of business.”

Where’s the Fallacy?  Where do you find the most fallacies?  Why do people use them?  What do you do when a fallacy is used to support your position?

Name that fallacy!

 “The United States argues that we ought to dramatically reduce the number of WMDs around the world. However, since the United States itself has a large cache of nuclear weapons, it is in no position to argue that we ought to dramatically reduce the number of WMDs.”

Host: Senator, what is your position on socializing healthcare? Senator: Well, let me say this. I believe that all Americans have a right to feel that their government is working in their best interests. And I believe that government should do so. Host: I see. But, are you in favor of the current proposition that would begin the process of socializing a sector of healthcare? Senator: The proposal in question will have to be examined on its merits. I would support anything that was in the best interests of the American people.

 “I believe capital punishment should be abolished! Our justice system cannot be in the business of killing people without knowing whether or not they committed a crime.”

 “Deforestation is not a bad thing. Just look at all the various uses we put wood to.”

 “Nothing he says about energy policy is valid because he used to work for big oil.”

 Senator Johnson: “The American military is being stretched too thin. We need more funding to keep the military working at its current capacity.”  Senator Brody: “I disagree, the American military is the finest military in the world! It is the best-trained and best-equipped force on the face of the earth.”

 “Senator Jones says that we should not fund the attack submarine program. I disagree entirely. I can’t understand why he would want to leave us defenseless and vulnerable.”

 “I deserve a raise. I’ve worked hard this year. Besides, you wouldn’t want your wife finding out about your improper relationship with your client would you?”

 “Mr. Smith has argued in favor of teaching creationism in schools. But creationism isn’t science. If we teach creationism the kids won’t learn to think critically about science. Obviously, Mr. Smith is against doing good science.”

 “You ought to let me turn in my paper late. If you don’t let me turn in my paper late, I could lose financial aid or be kicked out of school.”

 “Of course you should vote for Strickland! Everyone here in the department is voting for Strickland.”

 “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the noted psychiatrist, Dr. Deepthought, testified in court today that my client suffered psychological abuse as a child and suffers from a syndrome. Thus he should not be punished severely for his poor judgment.”

Parent: “Smoking has been proven to be harmful to your health.” Child: “But you smoke yourself.”

 “You really shouldn’t vote for him. He worked on Wall Street.”

 “Representative Sanford voted against a financial package that would have had the effect of lowering student loan interest. Obviously, this shows that our kids won’t be able to get ahead if he is elected. He is anti-education.”