“Caldwell Hall is in bad shape. Either we tear it down and put up a new building, or we continue to risk students’ safety."
Either/ or Fallacy (False Dilemma)
15
“My roommate said her philosophy class was hard, and the one I’m in is hard, too. All philosophy classes must be hard!”
Hasty generalization
15
“President Jones raised taxes, and then the rate of violent crime went up. Jones is responsible for the rise in crime.”
Post hoc (False cause)
15
“Animal experimentation reduces our respect for life. If we don’t respect life, we are likely to be more and more tolerant of violent acts like war and murder. Soon our society will become a battlefield in which everyone constantly fears fo
Slippery slope
15
“We should abolish the death penalty. Many respected people, such as actor Guy Handsome, have publicly stated their opposition to it.”
Appealing to authority
15
“Gay marriages are just immoral. 70% of Americans think so!”
Ad populum (Band Wagon)
15
“Andrea Dworkin has written several books arguing that feminism liberates women. But Dworkin is just ugly and bitter, so why should we listen to her?”
Ad hominem (Attacking the person)
15
“I know the exam is graded based on performance, but you should give me an A. My cat has been sick, my car broke down, and I’ve had a cold, so it was really hard for me to study!”
Appeal to pity
15
“Grading this exam on a curve would be the most fair thing to do. After all, classes go more smoothly when the students and the professor are getting along well.”
Red herring
15
Active euthanasia is morally acceptable. It is a decent, ethical thing to help another human being escape suffering through death.”