Slippery Slope and Circular Reasoning Fallacy

Unit 8

Critical Thinking
Fallacies of Logic

Day 2

8

Image from Adobe Stock

“Eating candy is just as healthy
as consuming fruits because both
provide a source of sweetness.”

What type of fallacy
is used in the
statement? Why?

(generalization, ad hominem,
false equivalence)

Do Now

Image from Adobe Stock

Open Ended

Do Now

“Eating candy is just as healthy as consuming fruits because both provide a source of sweetness.”

What type of fallacy 

is used in the 

statement? Why?

9

Learning Objective:
The SWBAT explain the slippery slope fallacy and
identify circular reasoning.

DOL:
Given several scenarios, the SW explain the slippery slope fallacy
and identify circular reasoning 4 out of 5 times to show mastery.

Learning Objective & DOL

Open Ended

Write this Learning Objective:
The SWBAT explain the slippery slope fallacy and
identify circular reasoning.

10

In the previous lesson, we learned about the

following fallacies of logic:
Image from Adobe Stock

● Generalization fallacy
● Ad hominem fallacy
● False equivalence

fallacy

11

The students in a group will make an anchor chart
for the Slippery Slope and Circular Reasoning
Fallacies.
1. Open Google and define with an example:
2. The slippery slope fallacy
3. Circular reasoning.

12

In a slippery slope fallacy, a course of action is
rejected because, with little or no evidence, one

insists that it will lead to a chain reaction of

events resulting in bad outcomes.

Images from Adobe Stock

Open Ended

Write the definition:

slippery slope fallacy, a course of action is rejected because, with little or no evidence, one insists that it will lead to a chain reaction of
events resulting in bad outcomes.

Multiple Choice

What is a slippery slope argument?

• 1. A logical fallacy that assumes a single event will lead to a series of negative events.

• 1. A type of reasoning that involves a circular structure, leading to an unproven conclusion.

• 2. A logical fallacy used in debate where the speaker diverts attention from the main topic.

• An argument that relies on emotional appeal rather than logical reasoning.

13

Why might someone use a
slippery slope argument?
Turn and talk to your partner.

Open Ended

Why might someone use a
slippery slope argument?
Turn and talk to your partner.

14

Write your own slippery slope fallacy:

If A happens, then Z will happen. Therefore A should not happen.

Open Ended

Write your own slippery slope fallacy:

If A happens, then Z will happen. Therefore A should not happen.

15

Julieta: I heard the school is considering allowing students
to bring snacks to class. It might seem harmless, but if they
allow snacks, everyone will start bringing full meals, and the
classrooms will turn into chaotic, messy eating zones!

Jefferson: Oh no, you're right! It starts with a bag of chips,
and before you know it, we'll be having pizza parties in the
middle of math class. There will be total chaos.

Identify the slippery slope arguments.

16

In a circular reasoning fallacy,

the premise explicitly or implicitly assumes

that its conclusion is true

rather than providing

any supporting statements.

Example:
Women should
not play professional
football.
Why?
Because they
haven’t played
professionally before.
Image from Adobe Stock

Open Ended

Write this definition:

Circular reasoning fallacy, 

the premise explicitly or implicitly assumes that its conclusion is true 

rather than providing any supporting statements.

Open Ended

In a circular reasoning fallacy, its premise explicitly or implicitly assumes that its __________________ is true rather than providing any supporting statements.

17

How is circular reasoning

being used in the video?

Sentence Stem: “Circular reasoning is being used in this video by ….”

Open Ended

How is circular reasoning

being used in the video?

Sentence Stem: “Circular reasoning is being used in this video by ….”

Multiple Choice

Read the statement below.

"If we allow students to use smartphones in the classroom, it won't be long before they start using them during exams. Once that happens, cheating will become rampant, and our school's academic integrity will be compromised. Before we know it, the entire education system will collapse, and students will have no respect for rules or authority."

Which of the following fallacies is represented in the statement?

• 1. Generalization fallacy

• 1. Slippery Slope fallacy

• 1. Circular reasoning fallacy

• 1. Illogical fallacy

18

How is circular reasoning
being used in the video?

Open Ended

How is circular reasoning being used in the video?

Multiple Choice

I deserve to win the art competition because my artwork is the best. How do I know it's the best? Because I'm the most deserving artist."

Which of the following fallacies is represented in the scenario?

• 1. Generalization fallacy

• 1. Slippery Slope fallacy

• 1. Circular reasoning fallacy

• 1. Illogical fallacy

Open Ended

How can recognizing and avoiding slippery slope arguments and circular reasoning contribute to more effective and fair discussions, both in and out of the classroom?

19

Jana: I think the school cafeteria should offer more vegetarian options.
Tyler: Why?
Jana: Because vegetarian options are better for students.
Tyler: But how do you know they're better?
Jana: Because the school cafeteria should focus on providing better
options for students, and vegetarian choices are the better ones.

Identify how circular reasoning is used in this conversation.

Open Ended

Identify how circular reasoning is used in this conversation.Jana: I think the school cafeteria should offer more vegetarian options.

Tyler: Why?

Jana: Because vegetarian options are better for students.

Tyler: But how do you know they're better?
Jana: Because the school cafeteria should focus on providing better options for students, and vegetarian choices are the better ones.

20

Write your own circular reasoning fallacy:

If A then B. If B than A.

Open Ended

Write your own circular reasoning fallacy:

If A then B. If B than A.

21

Hasina argues that if her parents let her stay out past
her curfew, it will lead to her staying out even later in the
future. She claims, she will be out all night, which will
result in her failing all her classes, dropping out of
school, and ending up unemployed. Therefore, her
parents should not allow her to stay out past curfew.

Which fallacy is represented in the scenario? Explain.

Images from Adobe Stock

Open Ended

Which fallacy is represented in the scenario? Explain.

Hasina argues that if her parents let her stay out past
her curfew, it will lead to her staying out even later in the
future. She claims, she will be out all night, which will
result in her failing all her classes, dropping out of
school, and ending up unemployed. Therefore, her
parents should not allow her to stay out past curfew.

22

2024 is the
worst year

ever!

Only Bad
things are
happening!

UHH…Why

are bad things

happening

though?

Because it's

2024

Which fallacy is represented
in the comic strip? Explain.

Images from Adobe Stock

Open Ended

Which fallacy is represented
in the comic strip? Explain.

23

Image from Adobe Stock

Why is it important to understand slippery slope

argument and circular reasoning?

Open Ended

Why is it important to understand slippery slope argument and circular reasoning?

24

Given several scenarios,
the SW explain the
slippery slope argument
(fallacy) and identify
circular reasoning 4 out
of 5 times to show
mastery.

Demonstration of Learning