Exam 6: Relevance Red Herringfallacies

Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or,where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text,by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue. Why do I spend so much on clothes? Well,it's either that or look like a bum,and I know which of those I prefer.

Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or,where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text,by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue. Reconstruction of a remark heard at a faculty meeting:"The quality of teaching performance cannot be measured.No matter what administrators at campuses around the country might say,teaching performance is simply not the kind of thing to which you can assign measurable variables and then compare a bunch of numbers at the beginning of a course and again at its end.That isn't the way it works."

Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or,where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text,by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue. "Greyhound reminds you that when you travel by car,you take chances,especially if you are traveling alone.Anything can happen:dangerous thunderstorms [sound effect:thunder],engine trouble [sound of car failing to start],blowouts [tire blowing out,car screeching to a stop].Next time [upbeat music] don't take chances.It's time to go Greyhound and leave the driving to us." -Greyhound advertisement

Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or,where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text,by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue. In an ad for Michelin tires with a cute baby sitting by their tire:Michelin.Because so much is riding on your tires.

Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or,where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text,by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue. You show me when a fetus wasn't a person,just show me! Tell me exactly when it is.When the baby is born? Well,why not just a day before that? Or the day before that? Or the day before that? Where you gonna draw the line? You gotta say life begins with conception.

Identify any fallacies in the following passage. "Requiring restaurants to post calories will never get everyone to stop overeating. What a waste of time."

Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or,where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text,by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue. You can't trust the arguments you find in that magazine.It's well known as a right-wing apologist for the wealthy.

Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or,where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text,by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue. "Look,the governor's office is supposed to list chemicals that are suspected to be poisonous,but let's not put them on the list officially until we know for sure that they're harmful.Otherwise,we just cause a lot of unnecessary trouble for the people who make and use the chemicals."

Identify any fallacies in the following passage. "It is essential that we arrive early.Shake a leg,or we will leave without you."

Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or,where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text,by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue. I am absolutely sick of hearing about those L.A.police officers who committed all those crimes.It's time for the press to lay off and give law enforcement officers a break.There are a lot of very good police officers out there,and they aren't recognized nearly as often as they should be.

Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or,where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text,by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue. When he was twelve,Walter Polovchak and his family were permitted to emigrate from the Soviet Union to the United States.Walter's father,however,eventually decided to return to Russia and was pressured by the Soviet Embassy to take Walter with him.The American Civil Liberties Union sided with Walter's father,rather than with Walter,who wished to remain in Chicago.When the case reached the courts,the legal arguments of the ACLU were criticized by some editorial writers on the grounds that in most other instances involving the rights of children,the ACLU had always sided with the child.Commented one law professor:"The ACLU's actions regarding Walter can be understood only in terms of 'an unwillingness to criticize communism.'"

Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or,where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text,by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue. From a prosecutor's closing statement at a trial:"In conclusion,ladies and gentlemen of the jury,there can be absolutely no doubt that this defendant committed these terrible murders.Look at the mother of the victim,sitting over there,and the father-their lives are forever destroyed by this evil deed.Never again will they know the peace and happiness that was their due.Put yourselves in their shoes,and you will know whether or not this man is guilty."

Identify any fallacies in the following passage. "You hear that idea at Tea Party conventions.I'm surprised you agree with it."

Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or,where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text,by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue. Gays in the military? No way.Clinton promoted the idea just to get the homosexual vote.

Identify any fallacies in the following passage. "FIRST POLL WATCHER:The decision in Gore v.Bush in 2000 was that George W.Bush won the election in Florida. SECOND POLL WATCHER:But the question is whether that was a correct decision,given all the problems of voting in Florida. FIRST POLL WATCHER:Like I said,the decision went for Bush,so that's your answer."

Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or,where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text,by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue. I wouldn't pay too much attention to what you read there.Reader's Digest is known for its right-wing political bias.

Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or,where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text,by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue. In a letter to the editor describing those against staying in Iraq:"Liberals would love to think the United States could make Iraq peaceful with the use of party favors and snack packs...."

Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or,where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text,by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue. You bet I'll explain why FantasyLand [an adult bookstore] should be closed down! You go in there,and we'll send your license plate number to the newspaper.You going to like people knowing what kind of stuff you read?

Identify any fallacies in the following passage. "This offer good for a short time only!"

Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or,where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text,by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue. I wouldn't take a course from anyone in the Poly Sci department,if I were you.They are all anti-U.S. ,ultraliberal types,at least that's what I hear.