Practice with Analysis (Fallacies)

Instructions

The following passages are from Diana Hacker's The Bedford Handbook, 5th edition and Douglas Walton's Informal Logic: A Handbook for Critical Argumentation. Each of the passages contain fallacious reasoning. Identify which fallacy is committed. Only one answer is correct in each question.

1. Deaths from drug overdoses in Metropolis have doubled in the past three years. Therefore, more Americans than ever are dying from drug abuse.

Slippery Slope
Hasty Generalization
Emotional Appeal
Non Sequitar

 

2. Mary loves good food; therefore, she will be an excellent chef.

Either/Or
Hasty Generalization
Non Sequitar
False Cause

 

3. Since Governor Smith took office, unemployment of minorities in the state has decreased by 7 percent. Governor Smith should be applauded for reducing unemployment among minorities.

Faulty Cause and Effect
Hasty Generalization
Slippery Slope
Fallacy of Authority

 

4. This progressive proposal to build a large ski resort in the state park has been carefully researched by Fidelity, the largest bank in the state; furthermore, it is favored by a majority of local merchants. The only opposition comes from narrow-minded, do-gooder environmentalists who care more about trees than they do about people; one of their leaders was actually arrested for disturbing the peace several years ago.

Faulty Cause and Effect
Either/Or
Fallacy of Authority
Emotional Appeal

 

5. This tooth is badly decayed, but not beyond repair. I propose to replace the decayed portion with a filling immediately.

Hasty Generalization
Slippery Slope
Fallacy of Authority
Emotional Appeal

 

6. The more you study, the more you know. The more you know, the more you forget. The more you forget, the less you know. So why study?

Slippery Slope
Non Sequitar
Hasty Generalization
Either/Or

 

7. Either learn how to program a computer or you won't be able to get a decent job after college.

Slippery Slope
Faulty Cause and Effect
Fallacy of Authority
Either/Or