AWA Identifying Logical Fallacies 2

Question 1

A politician argues: 'My opponent has never run a business, so his economic policies will fail.' Which fallacy does this commit?

Accepted Answer

Ad hominem (circumstantial)

Answer

Straw man

Answer

False dichotomy

Answer

Appeal to authority

Question 2

An argument concludes: 'Studies show coffee drinkers are more productive, therefore drinking coffee causes productivity.' What is the error?

Accepted Answer

Correlation-causation fallacy

Answer

Post hoc ergo propter hoc

Answer

Hasty generalization

Answer

Begging the question

Question 3

'Everyone I know prefers streaming over cable, so most Americans must prefer streaming.' This reasoning is flawed because it commits:

Accepted Answer

Hasty generalization

Answer

False analogy

Answer

Slippery slope

Answer

Appeal to tradition

Question 4

A debater says: 'If we allow students to retake one exam, soon they'll demand to retake every assignment and grades will become meaningless.' This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Slippery slope

Answer

Red herring

Answer

Appeal to consequences

Answer

Equivocation

Question 5

Which of the following best illustrates the 'appeal to ignorance' fallacy?

Accepted Answer

'No one has proven ghosts don't exist, so they must be real.'

Answer

'Experts agree that this drug is safe.'

Answer

'This has worked for centuries, so it must be correct.'

Answer

'Either you support the bill or you hate the environment.'

Question 6

An essay argues: 'Freedom of speech is essential. Therefore, companies should be forced to host any speech on their platforms.' The logical error here is:

Accepted Answer

Non sequitur

Answer

Equivocation

Answer

Straw man

Answer

Bandwagon

Question 7

When an arguer redefines 'success' mid-argument to avoid a counterexample, they are committing:

Accepted Answer

Moving the goalposts

Answer

False equivalence

Answer

Circular reasoning

Answer

Bandwagon fallacy