Deck 4: Diagramming Arguments

Question 1

Mr. Banks cancels meetings at the last minute for no reason at all. He has lately been showing up at the meetings we do have smelling of alcohol. And now he cannot account for the disappearance of over seven hundred dollars raised last year. Clearly, it is inappropriate to keep him on as scout leader.

A) begging the question
B) appeal to ignorance
C) appeal to illegitimate authority
D) ad hominem
E) strawman
F) red herring
G) no fallacy committed

Answer 1

G

Question 2

Hi, I'm Nick Jonas. Music inspires creativity and keeps kids in school. But there's thousands of kids without musical education. Don't let our music be silenced!-VH1 Save the Music

A) begging the question
B) appeal to ignorance
C) appeal to illegitimate authority
D) ad hominem
E) strawman
F) red herring
G) no fallacy committed

Answer 2

G

Question 3

Maybe Professor Burnes has argued that IQ is not that important in determining whether a person succeeds in his or her vocation, but this is clearly nonsense. I suspect that Professor Burnes doesn't have an IQ that's exactly off the charts.

A) begging the question
B) appeal to ignorance
C) appeal to illegitimate authority
D) ad hominem
E) strawman
F) red herring
G) no fallacy committed

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Write a Basic Analysis plus Fallacy Identification (where appropriate)

-The goal of helping students with homework and providing an academic support system at home is to enable them to develop independent study skills. For this to happen, parents and teachers need to work cooperatively. -Vaughn, Bos, and Schumm, Teaching Exceptional, Diverse, and At-Risk Students

Question 5

Write a Basic Analysis plus Fallacy Identification (where appropriate)

-Like their Cretan predecessors, the Greeks were less conscious of the tomb than the Egyptians. They have left us a number of bronze statuettes, which are highly esteemed. But their painting-an art on which their writers assure us they lavished great skill-is almost totally lost. One reason for this is that, unlike the Egyptians, Minoans, and Mycenaeans, who painted only murals, the Greeks painted mainly on wooden panels that have perished over time. -Sister Wendy Beckett, The Story of Painting

Question 6

Has anyone ever proven that soccer players would be protected from head injuries if they wore some kind of helmet? Then it must be true that helmets are unnecessary in soccer.

A) begging the question
B) appeal to ignorance
C) appeal to illegitimate authority
D) ad hominem
E) strawman
F) red herring
G) no fallacy committed

Question 7

We are constantly hearing about the need to pay teachers based on their performance. What a terrible idea! Teachers are people who unselfishly give time and energy to their pupils. They also serve as important roles models for young people. Furthermore, they all have invested time and money in earning their college degrees.

A) begging the question
B) appeal to ignorance
C) appeal to illegitimate authority
D) ad hominem
E) strawman
F) red herring
G) no fallacy committed

Question 8

Second Amendment fans oppose every effort the government makes to restrict or regulate the sale of guns and ammunition. But how can they defend the view that the government has no role to play in our society. Think about it for a minute: don't we need government to defend our borders? Don't we need government to regulate food and drugs?

A) begging the question
B) appeal to ignorance
C) appeal to illegitimate authority
D) ad hominem
E) strawman
F) red herring
G) no fallacy committed

Question 9

The Chinese government should encourage freedom of speech, because doing so would be a good idea.

A) begging the question
B) appeal to ignorance
C) appeal to illegitimate authority
D) ad hominem
E) strawman
F) red herring
G) no fallacy committed

Question 10

Write a Basic Analysis plus Fallacy Identification (where appropriate)

-Cell phones will probably replace the traditional phones throughout the world for they allow for access anywhere, not just at home. As a consequence, you would be wise to begin investing in cell phone manufacturers. At least, that's my advice.

Question 11

My major advisor claims that I will do better on the LSAT if I take some of the practice exams available in the library. As a result, I probably should take some practice exams.

A) begging the question
B) appeal to ignorance
C) appeal to illegitimate authority
D) ad hominem
E) strawman
F) red herring
G) no fallacy committed

Question 12

Some employers argue that they have the right to monitor employee internet use. I completely disagree. Most of us work at least part of the week from home, and we can't be expected to maintain a rigid distinction between using the internet for work and using for recreation.

A) begging the question
B) appeal to ignorance
C) appeal to illegitimate authority
D) ad hominem
E) strawman
F) red herring
G) no fallacy committed

Question 13

Write a Basic Analysis plus Fallacy Identification (where appropriate)

-Just in the last month I've heard a number of people claiming that one-use plastic bags from grocery stores are terrible for the environment. Hah! Using plastic bags is by far the easiest way to carry groceries, and the cost to the store must be insignificant.

Question 14

The pastor of my church is convinced that the Steelers should replace their current quarterback. So, clearly the quarterback has to go.

A) begging the question
B) appeal to ignorance
C) appeal to illegitimate authority
D) ad hominem
E) strawman
F) red herring
G) no fallacy committed

Question 15

Write a Basic Analysis plus Fallacy Identification (where appropriate)

-The CEO of the new green energy firm that recently moved into town gave a talk at the Town Hall meeting where he argued that building green will actually save the city money in the long run. Yet, this can't be true. After all, he's just going to say what is in his company's best interest, isn't he?