FALLACY NOTES Argument is made up into 3

FALLACY NOTES

Argument is made up into 3 different parts… And you already know the first two! üArgumentative Techniques • Ethos, Pathos, Logos üStylistic Devices • Anaphora, imagery alliteration, symbolism, etc. q. Fallacies • Everything today!

What’s a fallacy? • A fallacy is an error in reasoning • Fallacies in an argument can make it totally invalid • But, if the audience doesn’t realize a fallacy is used, they might just believe whatever the writer/speaker asks them to! • Fallacies can be found in each part of the triangle (ethos, pathos, logos)

Faulty Ethos • What is ethos? • The author’s credibility! Two types: 1. 2. Poisoning the Well (name calling) False Credibility

Poisoning the Well (Name Calling) • An attack on the person, not the issue • How is President Clinton supposed to help the US economy? He cheated on his wife! • The president and his economic policies have nothing to do with his wife.

False Credibility • The author/speaker may be an authority in one field, but might know nothing about another • Example: An actor could be great at acting, but not know anything about being a doctor…or the science behind body odor…

Faulty Pathos • What’s pathos? • Emotions of the audience! Two types: 1. Appeal to pity (ad misericordiam) 2. Bandwagon

Appeal to Pity (ad misericordiam) • Making the audience agree with the message by making them feel sorry for the writer/speaker • Example: I know that the project that is worth 20% of my grade is due today, but I would really like an extension. I don’t have it because my goldfish was sick, I didn’t wear pink on Wednesday so I couldn’t eat lunch with my friends, I can’t get the “Let it Go” song out of my head and I think my parents love my brother more than they love me. Can I turn it in tomorrow?

Bandwagon • Claiming that the idea is good because it is possible • People don’t want to feel left out, so they’ll join in • (Everybody else is doing it!)

Faulty Logos • What’s Logos? • Logic! 10 types (woah!) 1. Sweeping generalization (dicto simpliciter) 2. Hasty Generalization 3. Oversimplification 4. Circular Reasoning aka Begging the Question 5. Either/Or 6. Red Herring (avoiding the issue) 7. Hypothesis Contrary to Fact 8. Post Hoc (false cause) 9. Slippery Slope 10. False Analogy

Sweeping Generalization (Dicto Simpliciter) • The author describes a situation in a manner that is too broad • Everyone failed the test! • Look for words like all, everyone, every time, anything, no one, and none Everyone who lives in Oregon is a hipster

Hasty Generalization • An assumption is made based on too little evidence • Example: • Alex Rodriguez used steroids during his baseball career…so that means, all baseball players must use steroids.

Sweeping vs. Hasty Generalization • Sweeping Generalization=Everyone One • All of this applies to one person • Hasty Generalization=One Everyone • One person made everyone like this

Oversimplification • The author describes a complex situation as being much simpler than what it is • Could be combined with another fallacy • Example: World hunger can be solved by giving everyone food.

Circular Reasoning (Begging the Question) • The author supports a statement by restating it in different words in a nearby statement • Example: Teenagers should avoid fad diets because it’s important for adolescents to stay away from weight loss plans. • Think of it as…Cause/Cause reasoning • Look for the word “because”

Either/Or • Saying you only have two options • Either you can be a U of A fan or you can be an ASU fan • But other colleges exist too… Either/Or

Red Herring (Avoiding the Issue) • The author introduces irrelevant material than the issue being discussed • Attention is diverted away from the actual issue, leading the audience to a different conclusion • Actual definition: A fish. • Example: Yes, I know I forgot to do my part about fish of the ocean life science project…but your part is going to be great. It was really nice of Amber to help you! So…did you ask her out yet? • A partner not doing their work on a science project has nothing to do with asking this girl out.

Hypothesis Contrary to Fact • Offering a poorly supported claim about what might have happened in the past or future, if (the hypothetical part) circumstances or conditions were different. • It treats hypothetical situations as if they are fact. • Example: If Abraham Lincoln were alive today, he would agree with me. • We will never know…

Post Hoc (false cause) • The author claims an event occurred because another event occurred prior to it • NOT Cause and Effect • The first event in a Post Hoc does not cause the second • Example: I wore my purple shirt and purple zebra pants to the football game and the Vikings won. The Vikings will win every time I wear this outfit.

Slippery Slope (also a type of Post Hoc) • The author argues should one event occurs, so will lots of other events. • There is no proof that the harmful events are caused by the first event • Direct TV: • http: //www. bing. com/videos/search? q=direct%20 tv%20 commercial&qs=n&form=QBVR&pq =direct%20 tv%20 commercial&sc=8 -20&sp=1&sk=#view=detail&mid=3 CCE 0 F 46 DA 327 AF 5 AB 75

False Analogy • The author incorrectly makes an analogical (comparison) connection between two unconnected items • I think you should give me credit for this class because Joe comes to class only three days out of the week and I’m here everyday. • You passed everyone else in the class so I should receive credit like my fellow classmates.