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Exercise 3.1
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Chapter 3
Exercise 3.1
Part I
1. Formal fallacy 6. Formal fallacy
Exercise 3.2
Part I
1. Appeal to pity
Exercise 3.2
Part II
1. False 6. False
Exercise 3.2
Part III
The fallacies are noted in brackets throughout the text:
Food For Thought
“Let’s hit the produce section first,” Curtis says to his fiancée Talia, as they enter Payless
grocery store.
“Okay,” she says.
“Oh, look,” says Curtis. “The corn is on sale. Let’s buy a couple of ears and cook them
for dinner.”
“I don’t know,” says Talia. “Did you see that sign over the display? The corn is
genetically modified. I know we’ve never paid much attention to that sign in the past, but now
I’m thinking that maybe we should.”
“Why’s that?” asks Curtis.
“Sounds like a great way to grow corn,” Curtis says.
“Yes,” replies Talia, “but that means the corn contains a residue of Roundup. That’s
definitely not good. Roundup is a probable cause of cancer.”
“Good grief,” says Curtis. “If what you say is right, I think there is only one conclusion:
We must ban the sale of Roundup immediately.” [Missing the point]
After pausing to scratch his head, he continues, “On the other hand, look at all the people
who are buying this corn. If everyone is buying it, then I think we should, too.” [Appeal to the
people]
“You’re right that everyone is buying it,” says Talia. “Nearly 90 percent of the corn sold
in this country is genetically modified. But that doesn’t mean that we should buy it. Look,
there’s a small display of organic corn over there. Let’s get some of that.”
“Well, maybe I could eat conventional restaurant food once in a while,” says Talia. “But
organic food has become really appealing these days. That actor Christian Slater promotes it in
magazine ads. And some of my friends say that he is really sexy and that you look like him!
Maybe you should think about switching to organic.” [Appeal to vanity]
“I look like Christian Slater?” asks Curtis, looking flattered. “Wow! Maybe you’re right.
But now that you’ve raised the issue, that reminds me of something. Didn’t you tell me a while
back that you had an uncle who grew organic food? If he makes a lot of money, you might
Exercise 3.2
“Not at all,” says Talia. “But I’m glad you mentioned the farmers. Some of these people
have invested every cent they have in growing organic food. If consumers don’t buy it, these
poor, hardworking farmers will all go broke. We really can’t let that happen. They’ve put their
heart and soul into growing really healthy food for people like you and me. We can’t let them
down.” [Appeal to pity]
“And here’s another consideration,” continues Talia. “A basic principle of morality says
that we should help others in need. The owner of this grocery store needs for people to buy his
organic produce. Thus, I think we have an obligation to buy it.” [Accident]
“Ha Ha,” Curtis laughs. “By that argument we also have a moral obligation to buy the
Exercise 3.3
Part I
1. Hasty generalization (converse accident)
Exercise 3.3
Part II
Part III
1. Hasty generalization
Exercise 3.3
Exercise 3.3
Part IV
The fallacies are noted in brackets throughout the text:
Gun Love
Holly and her friend Ben have just attended a panel discussion in response to a recent
shooting on a college campus. As they leave the auditorium and head for the parking lot, Holly
asks, “Do you agree with any of the panelists?”
“I agree with the panelist who said that guns should be banned on every campus,” Ben
replies. “And I would even go a step further and say that we need strict gun control throughout
Exercise 3.3
Exercise 3.4
Part I
1. False dichotomy
Part II
Exercise 3.4
Part III
1. Argument against the person, circumstantial
2. Amphiboly. Did the fireworks explode inside Wilson’s pajamas?
3. Appeal to unqualified authority
22. Weak analogy
23. Equivocation (on “force”). In one sense “force” means a physical force; in the other it means
a psychological motivator.
Part IV
The fallacies are noted in brackets throughout the text:
Personal Paper Mill
Carly catches sight of Brad as the two head for their class in sociology. “Hi!” she says as
she joins him. “Did you get your paper finished?”
“But just between you and me, I had my girlfriend write my paper.”
“Don’t tell me that.” Carly looks disgusted. “Do you think that’s moral?”
Exercise 3.4
who write most of their speeches. Why shouldn’t I get someone to write my papers?” [Weak
analogy]
“You are so stupid!” Carly replies. “Honestly, I really think everyone should stop
“Okay, how about this?” he asks. “Either I get someone to write this paper for me, or I’ll
“What do you mean?” Carly asks.
“Well, every word of your paper appears in the dictionary, so it’s clear that you
plagiarized it from the dictionary.” [Composition]
“Very funny,” Carly says. “But here’s what I think. I think you should ask Professor
Halvorson for an extension on your paper and write it yourself. She really takes plagiarism
seriously, and she insists that all work submitted to her be original.”
“But this paper is original work,” Brad insists, as they enter the social sciences building.
name! You’re supposed to sign your own name.”
“Oh,” says Brad.” For the first time he looks concerned. “But that means I would be
lying.”
“Yes, it would,” Carly agrees, “but I don’t see why that should bother you. Still, I can
assure you of this: If you hand in the paper, you won’t graduate.”
“You’re wrong about that,” Brad counters. “Consider this. I’m a member of the senior
Exercise 3.4
Exercise 3.5
Part I
1. Missing the point, begging the question, or suppressed evidence. Is any activity justified by
12. No fallacy? Weak analogy?
13. False cause (oversimplified cause), suppressed evidence, begging the question. There is little
15. Slippery slope
20. False dichotomy; also, begging the question and/or false cause. Will a smoking ban in
restaurants actually cause smokers to stay away?
22. False cause? No fallacy?
23. Missing the point or red herring; also, begging the question?
26. Begging the question. Just because your emotional reaction was that of losing a baby, does
that mean the fetus is really a baby?
28. Suppressed evidence? Composition? Begging the question? No fallacy? The Commerce
29. No fallacy? Weak analogy?
30. Suppressed evidence? Men and women usually differ in physical strength. Begging the
question? Is it likely that physical attraction will lead to injury or rape? No fallacy?
Exercise 3.5
34. Appeal to the people, direct variety?
37. False dichotomy? No fallacy?
39. Begging the question. Must we all die prematurely in a nuclear holocaust? Also possibly red
herring
41. Begging the question and/or weak analogy. Is the forced extinction of animal and plant
species caused by industrial growth just another form of evolution? Is this forced extinction
justified?
45. Probably no fallacy. The analogy is not so much between ducks and people as between the
46. Begging the question. Is the fetus a child? Also, straw man.
51. Argument against the person, abusive (against the ACLU). Also, missing the point or
begging the question. If the mere possibility of hidden contraband justifies a search, then
won't all Fourth Amendment rights be destroyed?
52. Hasty generalization. Also, argument against the person, abusive? Also, begging the
question or red herring?
53. Argument against the person, circumstantial; also, begging the question. Are talk-show
participants informed and unbiased spokespersons?
56. Argument against the person, abusive; tu quoque; also, begging the question. Does the
possibility that the Japanese would have used the atomic bomb against us justify our use of it
against them?
58. Weak analogy? No fallacy?
