INVALID ARGUMENTS - Miami Dade College

[Pages:3]INVALID ARGUMENTS

EXERCISE 1.

Circle the letter that best describes the fallacy in each item.

1. You're home fifteen minutes past your curfew for the third time this week! You're turning out just like your no-good drunken Uncle Herbert.

a. Circular Reasoning (a statement repeats itself rather than providing a real supporting reason to back up an argument)

b. Straw Man (an argument is made by claiming an opponent holds an extreme position and then opposing that extreme

position)

c. False Comparison (the argument assumes that two things being compared are more alike than they really are)

d. Either-Or (the argument assumes that there are only two sides to a question)

2. Senator Bowman has no children -- that's why he favors nuclear power. He doesn't mind our kids being born with birth defects.

a. Circular Reasoning (a statement repeats itself rather than providing a real supporting reason to back up an argument)

b. False Comparison (the argument assumes that two things being compared are more alike than they really are)

c. Straw Man (an argument is made by claiming an opponent holds an extreme position and then opposing that extreme

position)

d. Personal Attack (argument shifts to irrelevant personal criticism)

3. If you don't go to the office party, you'll never get ahead in this company.

a. Circular Reasoning (a statement repeats itself rather than providing a real supporting reason to back up an argument)

b. Personal Attack (argument shifts to irrelevant personal criticism)

c. False Comparison (the argument assumes that two things being compared are more alike than they really are)

d. Either-Or (the argument assumes that there are only two sides to a question)

4. Carol won't be a good candidate for the accountant's position; she's got no sense of humor and she doesn't dress very well.

a. False Comparison (the argument assumes that two things being compared are more alike than they really are)

b. False Cause (the argument assumes that the order of events alone shows cause and effect)

c. Personal Attack (argument shifts to irrelevant personal criticism)

d. Straw Man (an argument is made by claiming an opponent holds an extreme position and then opposing that extreme

position)

READING ? Invalid Arguments rev. July 2005

5. First Victor comes over to play, and the next thing that happens is my little Petey has fallen down. Victor is just too wild to play with Petey any more.

a. Circular Reasoning (a statement repeats itself rather than providing a real supporting reason to back up an argument)

b. False Cause (the argument assumes that the order of events alone shows cause and effect)

c. False Comparison (the argument assumes that two things being compared are more alike than they really are)

d. Either-Or (the argument assumes that there are only two sides to a question)

6. Alternative medical treatments are dangerous because they are not part of our medical tradition.

a. Circular Reasoning (a statement repeats itself rather than providing a real supporting reason to back up an argument)

b. Personal Attack (argument shifts to irrelevant personal criticism)

c. Straw Man (an argument is made by claiming an opponent holds an extreme position and then opposing that extreme

position)

d. Changing the Subject (the evidence sounds good but has nothing to do with the argument)

7. Nashville has the worst weather -- I was there for two days, and it rained both days.

a. Hasty Generalization (the argument comes to a conclusion based on insufficient evidence)

b. Personal Attack (argument shifts to irrelevant personal criticism)

c. False Comparison (the argument assumes that two things being compared are more alike than they really are)

d. Either-Or (the argument assumes that there are only two sides to a question)

8. Karen's last job was as a fast-food waitress, and now she's a low-paid receptionist. Karen is obviously not capable of making a decent salary. a. Hasty Generalization (the argument comes to a conclusion based on insufficient evidence) b. Circular Reasoning (a statement repeats itself rather than providing a real supporting reason to back up an argument) c. False Comparison (the argument assumes that two things being compared are more alike than they really are) d. Straw Man (an argument is made by claiming an opponent holds an extreme position and then opposing that extreme

position)

READING ? Invalid Arguments rev. July 2005

9. Americans better beware -- the atmosphere of anything-goes permissiveness in America today is just like that in ancient Rome before its fall.

a. Circular Reasoning (a statement repeats itself rather than providing a real supporting reason to back up an argument)

b. Personal Attack (argument shifts to irrelevant personal criticism)

c. False Comparison (the argument assumes that two things being compared are more alike than they really are)

d. Either-Or (the argument assumes that there are only two sides to a question)

10. Ms. Aimes' proposal for a new tax on cigarettes would lead to a social disaster. She obviously feels that we can outlaw a bad habit, but Prohibition showed that we cannot.

a. Circular Reasoning (a statement repeats itself rather than providing a real supporting reason to back up an argument)

b. Personal Attack (argument shifts to irrelevant personal criticism)

c. Straw Man (an argument is made by claiming an opponent holds an extreme position and then opposing that extreme

position)

d. Either-Or (the argument assumes that there are only two sides to a question)

EXERCISE II.

Decide if the argument is valid or invalid. Circle the letter of your choice. For invalid arguments, write the type of fallacy on the line provided.

1. There are reasons for the laws that prohibit children from attending public adult movie theaters.

a. valid

b. invalid _______________________

2. I know I don't deserve to pass this course, but I've been sick, my car broke down, and my

father had a heart attack.

a. valid

b. invalid _______________________

3. If you can't come up with some good reasons why I'm wrong, that proves I'm right.

a. valid

b. invalid _______________________

4. My wife and my daughter are the two sweetest people I know. Women are much more considerate than men.

a. valid

b. invalid _______________________

5. I take drugs because all my friends do, and they got me started.

a. valid

b. invalid _______________________

READING ? Invalid Arguments rev. July 2005

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