1. Biggest Argumentative Blunders

2. 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)

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

4. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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.

13. 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

14. 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

15. Red Herring

16. 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