WHAT IS A FALLACY OR HOW TO WIN

WHAT IS A FALLACY? OR HOW TO WIN A DEBATE BY CHANGING THE TOPIC.

WHAT IS A FALLACY? • A failure in logical reasoning • A misleading or unsound argument. • Argumentative structure – Claim, Evidence, (Warrant) • A misleading or untrue WARRANT • The evidence doesn’t really support the claim • Syllogism – Major Premise, Minor Premise Conclusion • A misleading or untrue assumption in one of the premises

TYPES OF FALLACIES (READING) • Read “Fallacies”, pg. 242 -246, from the Glencoe Speech textbook. • “Fallacies are errors in reasoning or mistaken beliefs…the do-not’s of logic. ” • Eight fallacies – definition for each. • Sub-headings in red.

TYPES OF FALLACIES (1) • Hasty Generalization – conclusion based on insufficient evidence. • I went to Albertsons, but they didn’t have any curry powder. You can’t get curry powder anywhere! • False Premise – incorrect major premise. • All rap music is obscene and inappropriate… • Circumstantial Evidence – conclusion based only on the evidence at hand. • Your seat is closest to the spill, so you must be the one who spilled soda on the floor.

TYPES OF FALLACIES (2) • Mistaken Causality – mistaking correlation (relation) for causation (cause and effect). • The suspect played violent video games before committing a mass shooting. • Playing with Numbers – manipulating statistics (numerical data) to misrepresent facts. • This has resulted in a 300% increase (was 1, now 3) • False Analogy – comparing two things that aren’t the same. • Investing in the stock market is just as risky as gambling in Las Vegas.

TYPES OF FALLACIES (3) • Ignoring the Question – Diverting attention away from the argument (personal attacks). • Don’t listen to my opponent's argument about legalizing marijuana, he has a drug conviction. • Begging the Question – assumes the conclusion as true (circular reasoning). • The Bible is the Word of God, because God tells us it is in the Bible.

IDENTIFYING FALLACIES What kind of fallacies are used in: Monty Python “She’s a Witch!” • False Premise • All witches are things that can burn. • All things that can burn are made of wood. • Therefore, all witches are made of wood. • All things made of wood are things that can float. • All things that weigh as much as a duck are things that can float. • Therefore, all things that weight as much as a duck are made of wood • This lady weighs as much as a duck • This lady is therefore made of wood. • Therefore, this lady is a witch!