CHAPTER 11: REFUTATION BY FALLACY CLAIM
This chapter puts the idea of fallacy into a context that distinguishes it from the usual treatment that lists
what appear to be mistakes that anyone should recognize and acknowledge to be a mistake. Fallacies are
not automatically identifiable error points. They are a kind of claim we make, a fallacy claim. We use
such claims as a basis of refutation and others do the same about points in our arguments that they find
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
1. Pointing out a fallacy in someone’s argument
2. Traditional logicians tend to see fallacies as
3. Associating logical validity with material truth is
4. The use of plausible but fallacious reasoning is called
5. Responding to a charge of wrongdoing against you by charging the other side with wrongdoing is
called
6. An answer to a question, or a definition, that cleverly assumes as fact that which is not proved is called
7. Assuming a causal relation among events because they are related in time or space is called
8. Freud’s apparent editing of his case histories to create support for his theories may or may not be a
fallacy
depending on the answer to this issue:
9. Irrelevance, obfuscation, and violations of the quantity maxim are examples of fallacy claims based on
10. Supermarket tabloids may publish stories for which they have not sought substantiation, and CBS’
ESSAY QUESTIONS
1. Define, and give the special characteristics of fallacies.
EXERCISES/PROJECTS
1. Do an Internet search for position papers on a subject of interest to you. Select one or two and examine
them for potential fallacies. If you do not find any, return to the Internet. If you feel you can develop a
2. Share your fallacy claim with other members of your team after giving them a copy of the position
paper you examined. Discuss whether or not your fallacy claim is reasonable and whether the team
3. Select an advertisement for a product or political candidate that you believe is likely to be persuasive
4. Present your paper to other members of your team to see if they agree with your critique. Listen to their