Transcript Slide 1
Logical Fallacies A FALLACY IN LOGICAL ARGUMENTATION OR AN ERROR IN REASONING Syllogism – Air-tight logic Major Premise: Irrefutable generalization about the world. (A is true of all B) Minor Premise: A statement that falls under that generalization. (B is true of all C) Conclusion: Statement that follows/results from the generalization (Therefore A is true of all C) All human beings are mortal. Socrates is a human being. Therefore, Socrates is mortal. Syllogistic Logic Syllogism: major premise – minor premise – conclusion Tyrannical rulers deserve no loyalty King George is a tyrannical ruler King George deserves no loyalty All Olympic runners are fast Jejime is an Olympic Runner Jejime is fast 2 ways that arguments fall apart FALSE STATEMENTS in either CONTENT – concepts and definitions FORM False Statement in Content Killing bugs is murder. Sally killed a bug. Sally is a murderer. This cannot be logically argued without first proving your terminology – it is a false statement in definition. Fix it by defining murder according to your terms False Statement in Form All dogs are animals All cats are animals All dogs are cats Ad Hominem An attack against a person that does not logically connect to the argument being made You can’t trust Mark to help you with your math homework; I heard he cheated on Mary back in the 4th grade! Faulty Emotional Appeal Manipulating people’s emotions without logical warrants/data to support the claim – Propaganda Faulty Appeal to Authority Person supporting the concept is not a legitimate authority on the subject. “Children shouldn’t receive vaccinations because Jenny McCarthy said so!” When Honey Boo Boo endorsed Obama. False Dilemma Considered “Either/Or” faulty thinking I need to either earn a 5 on the AP Language exam, or I will be a failure in life. Post Hoc A occurs before B, so A CAUSED B. Superstitions are based on Post Hoc Someone said Macbeth on stage before the show; that is why the lead ended up forgetting all her lines. Straw Man Ignoring an actual position - instead distorts or exaggerates what was really said. President Obama wants to raise taxes on the rich: I can’t believe he wants the economy to crash by stealing their money! Two Wrongs “Two wrongs” make a right faulty logic… I accidentally took Paul’s favorite pen, but I decide to keep it because Paul would never give me my pen back. Bandwagon The “everyone is doing it”, so “you should too!” faulty logic You have to sneak out and join us at the party, everyone in Woebel’s class is doing it! Unqualified Generalization A generalization that does not include a qualifier to make it reasonable. Milk is good for you! (faulty) Milk is usually good for you. (better) Milk can be bad for someone who is lactose intolerant. Poisoning the Well Attacking the opponent before giving him/her a chance to present his/her argument. My opponent is a LIAR and a CHEAT! HOMEWORK FILL OUT NOTE GUIDE USE… PP Notes “Love is a Fallacy” Term Packet Quiz Tomorrow You can use the note guide.