Exam 3: Informal Fallacies

Standard & Poors, Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs, AIG, Merrill Lynch, Bank of America-all of these companies continue to pay their top executives huge bonuses. It must be the case that every American company pays its top executives huge bonuses.

Mary Beth complains that our curriculum is weak in areas relating to diversity. But have you seen that girl's tattoos? They're really something else-especially the red one right above her rear. And she must have a pound of metal stuck in her body. Two big loops hang from her ears, there's a small bar bell through her tongue, and another through her navel. Let's see ... . Shall we move on to the next topic?

Practically everyone has driven home at one time or other after having had a few drinks. Therefore, you shouldn't have any problem with driving home now, even though you're a bit tipsy.

New York is located in the United States. Therefore, native born New Yorkers are native born Americans.

Professor Carson argues in favor of banning skateboards on campus. Apparently Carson is against anything that has wheels. No bicycles, no roller blades, not even any wheelchairs. But handicapped students need their wheelchairs to get around. From this it should be clear that Professor Carson's argument makes no sense.

Stem cell research is immoral because anything that involves killing innocent human beings is immoral.

Sylvia is an American. Americans are 12 percent black, 4 percent Asian, and 13 percent Hispanic. Therefore, Sylvia is 12 percent black, 4 percent Asian, and 13 percent Hispanic.

Lake Michigan contains fish. Therefore, every cubic foot of lake Michigan contains fish.

Either Thomas Edison or Samuel F. B. Morse invented the telegraph. But it wasn't Edison. Therefore, Morse invented the telegraph.

Professor Harris gives a number of reasons why we should turn off our cell phones during class. It appears that Harris is one of those Luddites who are opposed to technology altogether. No laptops, no iPads, no digital cameras-that's what Harris wants. But that's just ridiculous. Thus, it's clear that Harris is wrong.

Jason is a terrible chess player. But every chess player is a human being. Therefore, Jason is a terrible human being.

Every squirrel that has ever been observed likes nuts. Therefore, probably every squirrel likes nuts.

It's dangerous to use a hair dryer while taking a bath. But a rechargeable shaver is an electrical device no less than a hair dryer. Therefore, it's dangerous to use a rechargeable shaver while taking a bath.

The new Grand Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan says that interracial marriage is a crime against nature. Therefore, that interracial couple who just moved into the neighborhood must be a pair of criminals.

The use of marijuana for medical purposes should never be allowed. Before long it will be marijuana for anyone who wants it. Then it will be hash, cocaine, and crack. In no time they'll want crystal, ecstasy, and heroin. In the end everyone will be so drugged out they won't be able to see straight.

After getting settled in your new job, you will want to buy a home in the Woodland district. Woodland is true prestige, and all of our upscale employees live there.

The fallacy in which an arguer attempts to discredit an argument by making its author appear as a hypocrite is:

Professor Friedman, the great constitutional scholar, says that the First Amendment is the most important part of the Bill of Rights. We therefore conclude that the First Amendment is indeed the most important part of the Bill of Rights.

Sparky the Weasel is clearly unqualified to operate the Paradise Day Care Center for young children. A few years ago Sparky was convicted of fifteen counts of child molestation and statutory rape.

If a defense attorney in an American or Canadian criminal trial argues that because the prosecutor has proved nothing beyond a reasonable doubt about the guilt of the defendant, the defendant is innocent, then the defense attorney commits: