Transcript Logical Fallacies

Topic: Logical Fallacies
in Propaganda and
Advertising
Essential Question: Identify what you would
consider to be the most widely used “bad
argument” in this current election and give two
examples of it being used.
What is ‘ad hominim’?
Attacking the individual instead of the
argument
Ex: You are so stupid that your argument
can’t possibly be true.
Ex: Romney is out of touch with America –
he makes too much money to have any
idea of how the middle class lives.
What is a false dilemma?
Two choices are given when in reality
there could be more choices possible
Ex: You either did throw the crayon or you
didn’t. Which is it?
Ex: Either you vote to support the middle
class or you vote to support the wealthy.
Why would you even consider voting for
that other guy?
What is a genetic fallacy?
The attempt to endorse or disqualify a
claim because of the origin or irrelevant
history of the claim
Ex: I can’t take this test because you didn’t
teach me anything.
Ex: I’m not voting for Obama because I
don’t think his birth certificate is real.
What is a circular argument?
Assuming the thing to be true that you are
trying to prove.
Ex: I am a great student because Ms.
Sisson says so. How can you believe Ms.
Sisson? Easy, she’s my favorite teacher.
Ex: I don’t believe that Romney is
interested in helping me. How do I know
this? Because he said it in that video.
What is ‘appeal to the popular’?
The person is urged to accept a position
because a majority of people hold to it.
Ex: The majority of people love to drink
Coke. Therefore, Coke is good for you.
Ex: Everyone else is doing it. Why
shouldn’t you?
What is “poisoning the well”?
Presenting negative information about a
person before he/she speaks so as to
discredit the person’s argument.
Ex: You can’t believe her. She lies all the
time.
Ex: Romney keeps saying that he’s going
to balance the budget, but he never tells
you what exactly he’s going to cut.
What is a ‘double standard’?
Applying a different standard to another
that is applied to oneself
Ex: Why should I donate money to feed
hungry children in Africa, when America
doesn’t feed its own starving kids?
Ex: Romney stated that he believed in
women in the work force, and then stated
that he had “binders full of women.”