Phi 300 Worksheet Informal Fallaciesinformal Fallacyexamplea Quotati ✓ Solved

PHI 300 Worksheet: Informal Fallacies Informal Fallacy Example: A quotation, an image, or a description ( not the definition of the fallacy). Include the URL (web link) of the page where you found the example. Explanation: How does your example demonstrate this fallacy? 1. Equivocation 1.

Appeal to Force 1. Abusive 1. Circumstantial 1. Appeal to inappropriate authority 1. Popular appeal 1.

Hasty generalization 1. Accident 1. Ignorance 1. Begging the question 1. Irrelevant conclusion 1.

Naturalistic 1. Appeal to tradition Strengths Insight Guide SURVEY COMPLETION DATE:

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PHI 300 Worksheet: Informal Fallacies

Equivocation

Example: "The sign said 'Fine for parking here,' and since it was fine, I parked there."
URL: [Equivocation Example](https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/258653/what-is-equivocation-in-a-legal-context)
Explanation: This example demonstrates the fallacy of equivocation by exploiting the ambiguity of the word "fine." The person interpreted "fine" as good or acceptable rather than the monetary penalty for parking. Such a course of reasoning misleads by using a term with multiple meanings within an argument, prompting confusion.

Appeal to Force

Example: "You should agree with my plan for the project, or else I’ll ensure you don’t get a promotion."
URL: [Appeal to Force Example](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appeal_to_force)
Explanation: This example showcases an appeal to force by using intimidation rather than reason to gain agreement. The individual invokes the fear of negative consequences instead of providing logical reasoning for the project plan, which is characteristic of this fallacy.

Abusive Ad Hominem

Example: "How can you argue your point about climate change when you can’t even recycle your soda cans?"
URL: [Abusive Ad Hominem Example](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ad_hominem)
Explanation: This statement reflects the abusive ad hominem fallacy by attacking the character of the person making the argument rather than the argument itself. It distracts from the valid discussion about climate change by focusing on personal flaws.

Circumstantial Ad Hominem

Example: "Of course, the politician supports the new healthcare bill; he will benefit financially from it!"
URL: [Circumstantial Ad Hominem Example](https://www.iep.utm.edu/ad-hominem/)
Explanation: Here, the reasoning suggests that the politician's support stems solely from self-interest, dismissing the argument due to presumed motives without directly addressing the merits of the healthcare bill. This circumstantial fallacy changes the focus away from the argument itself.

Appeal to Inappropriate Authority

Example: "My dentist says that this brand of toothpaste is the best because he's the best at fixing cavities!"
URL: [Appeal to Inappropriate Authority Example](https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/appeal-to-irrelevant-authority)
Explanation: In this case, the individual cites their dentist's opinion on toothpaste effectiveness based on his expertise in dentistry rather than oral hygiene products, improperly relying on authority in an unrelated field. This misapplication illustrates an appeal to inappropriate authority.

Popular Appeal

Example: "Everyone is investing in cryptocurrencies; it must be the best option for making money."
URL: [Popular Appeal Example](https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/appeal-to-popularity)
Explanation: The argument relies on the popularity of cryptocurrency as a reason for its validity, linking majority opinion to the quality or effectiveness of the investment. This popular appeal distracts from a thoughtful evaluation of the actual merits or risks involved.

Hasty Generalization

Example: "My neighbor is a bad driver; therefore, all people from his city must be terrible drivers."
URL: [Hasty Generalization Example](https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/hasty-generalization)
Explanation: This example illustrates a hasty generalization by drawing broad conclusions based on insufficient evidence—namely, just one neighbor's driving skills. By generalizing from a single case, the individual overlooks the diversity of driving competence within the broader population.

Accident

Example: "Freedom of speech allows us to say anything we want, so it’s fine that I shouted threats in a crowded theater."
URL: [Accident Example](https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/misleading-vividness)
Explanation: This argument applies the principle of freedom of speech inappropriately to justify a specific act that endangers others. It demonstrates the accident fallacy by incorrectly asserting that an overriding general rule applies uniformly without recognizing exceptions that mitigate harm.

Appeal to Ignorance

Example: "No one has proven that aliens don’t exist, so they must be out there."
URL: [Appeal to Ignorance Example](https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/appeal-to-ignorance)
Explanation: Here, the fallacy occurs by concluding the existence of something (aliens) solely based on a lack of evidence against it. The argument shifts the burden of proof, which is a fundamental error in logical reasoning.

Begging the Question

Example: "I’m trustworthy because I never lie."
URL: [Begging the Question Example](https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/begging-the-question)
Explanation: This statement is self-referential and assumes what it attempts to prove. It presumes the conclusion while asserting it again within the same premise, thus committing the begging the question fallacy.

Irrelevant Conclusion

Example: "You should not trust John’s argument about climate change; he once got a speeding ticket."
URL: [Irrelevant Conclusion Example](https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/irrelevant-conclusion)
Explanation: This example loses focus on John's argument about climate change and instead diverts attention to unrelated personal flaws. This irrelevant conclusion undermines constructive discourse by shifting the discussion to personal character.

Naturalistic Fallacy

Example: "Eating meat is natural for humans; thus, it is morally acceptable."
URL: [Naturalistic Fallacy Example](https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/naturalistic-fallacy/)
Explanation: This argument conflates the "is" of nature with the "ought" of morality, making the naturalistic fallacy. Just because something is a part of human behavior does not inherently justify it as right or wrong, showing an oversimplification of ethical reasoning.

Appeal to Tradition

Example: "We've always done it this way, so we should continue doing it this way."
URL: [Appeal to Tradition Example](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_from_tradition)
Explanation: This appeal to tradition bases its argument on the long-standing practice without evaluating whether it remains effective or relevant. Such reasoning stifles dialogue and improvement in contemporary practices by solely relying on history.

References

1. English StackExchange. (n.d.). "What is equivocation in a legal context?" Retrieved from https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/258653/what-is-equivocation-in-a-legal-context
2. Wikipedia. (2023). "Appeal to force." Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appeal_to_force
3. Wikipedia. (2023). "Ad hominem." Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ad_hominem
4. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (2023). "Ad Hominem." Retrieved from https://www.iep.utm.edu/ad-hominem/
5. Your Logical Fallacy Is. (2023). "Appeal to irrelevant authority." Retrieved from https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/appeal-to-irrelevant-authority
6. Your Logical Fallacy Is. (2023). "Appeal to popularity." Retrieved from https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/appeal-to-popularity
7. Your Logical Fallacy Is. (2023). "Hasty generalization." Retrieved from https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/hasty-generalization
8. Your Logical Fallacy Is. (2023). "Accident." Retrieved from https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/misleading-vividness
9. Your Logical Fallacy Is. (2023). "Appeal to ignorance." Retrieved from https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/appeal-to-ignorance
10. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (2023). "Naturalistic fallacy." Retrieved from https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/naturalistic-fallacy/