ENG II Logical Fallacies

Ready to spot the fallacy? An example of an Ad Hominem attack is (a)   .

• Rejecting an argument simply becaus
• Going after the person who's arguing
• Believing one thing caused another
• Thinking something must be true bec

Which of the following is an example of an ad hominem fallacy?

• "We shouldn’t listen to John’s opinion on climate change; he failed his science class."

• "Climate change is a serious issue supported by scientific evidence."

• "The data on climate change needs to be more thoroughly analyzed."

Which statement appeals to popularity as evidence for its truth?

• "This phone has the highest customer satisfaction rating."

• "Everyone is buying this phone, so it must be the best."

• "This phone’s performance is supported by benchmark tests."

Begging the Question: Identify the example that assumes the conclusion within its premise.

• "This policy’s effectiveness should be tested further."

• "This policy is effective because it has shown positive results."

• "We know this policy is the best because it is the most effective."

Which example uses circular reasoning?

• "The law is important because it’s necessary to follow the law."

• "The law is important because it maintains order in society."

• "The law should be revised to reflect modern values."

Identify the false analogy.

• "Employees and nails both require specific tools for effectiveness."

• "Employees are like nails; just as nails must be hit on the head to work, employees must be pressured to perform."

• "Employee training programs vary like the tools used for nails."

Which statement is a hasty generalization?

• "Cats have diverse temperaments based on breed and training."

• "My neighbor’s cat scratched me, so all cats must be mean."

• "Some cats can be unfriendly, depending on their environment."

Which statement contains a non-sequitur?

• "She drives a nice car, so she must be wealthy."

• "Her car’s brand is known for luxury and quality."

• "She drives a nice car because she values reliability."

Identify the example of post hoc reasoning.

• "I wore my lucky socks, and we won the game."

• "We won the game because of our teamwork."

• "Our training paid off, leading to a win."

Which statement is a red herring?

• "We can’t worry about climate change when there’s so much unemployment."

• "Climate change is a separate issue from unemployment."

• "Climate change affects industries and employment opportunities."