AWA Identifying Logical Fallacies 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A writer claims: 'Ancient Greeks used olive oil as medicine, so it must be an effective remedy.' This appeals to:
- Appeal to nature
- Appeal to tradition (Correct answer)
- Appeal to authority
- False analogy
Correct answer: Appeal to tradition
Appeal to tradition assumes a practice is valid or correct because it has historical precedent, which is not sufficient justification.
Question 2: In an AWA argument, the author states: 'Our product is made from all-natural ingredients, so it is safe for consumption.' The fallacy present is:
- Straw man
- Appeal to nature (Correct answer)
- Hasty generalization
- False dichotomy
Correct answer: Appeal to nature
The appeal to nature fallacy equates 'natural' with 'safe' or 'good,' ignoring that many natural substances are harmful.
Question 3: An argument states: 'Senator X voted against the defense budget once; clearly she hates the military.' This distorts the senator's position, making it an example of:
- Red herring
- Straw man (Correct answer)
- Ad hominem
- False cause
Correct answer: Straw man
A straw man misrepresents an opponent's actual position to make it easier to attack.
Question 4: Which scenario exemplifies the 'bandwagon' fallacy?
- 'This supplement has no side effects because no side effects have been reported.'
- 'Nine out of ten doctors recommend this brand, so you should use it.'
- 'Millions of people believe this diet works, so it must be effective.' (Correct answer)
- 'This investment strategy has worked for 50 years, so it will keep working.'
Correct answer: 'Millions of people believe this diet works, so it must be effective.'
The bandwagon fallacy (ad populum) argues something is true or good simply because many people believe or do it.
Question 5: An author writes: 'You must be pro-war if you don't support peace negotiations.' This presents a:
- False dichotomy (Correct answer)
- Slippery slope
- Equivocation
- Red herring
Correct answer: False dichotomy
A false dichotomy (either/or fallacy) reduces a complex issue to two mutually exclusive options when other possibilities exist.
Question 6: A logical fallacy where an arguer introduces an irrelevant point to distract from the main issue is called a:
- Non sequitur
- Red herring (Correct answer)
- Tu quoque
- Equivocation
Correct answer: Red herring
A red herring diverts the audience's attention away from the central issue with an unrelated tangent.
Question 7: When an arguer responds to criticism by saying 'Well, you do the same thing,' this is called:
- Ad hominem
- Tu quoque (Correct answer)
- Straw man
- Whataboutism
Correct answer: Tu quoque
Tu quoque ('you too') deflects criticism by pointing out the accuser's similar behavior, which does not address the original argument.
AWA Identifying Logical Fallacies 3
A writer claims: 'Ancient Greeks used olive oil as medicine, so it must be an effective remedy.' This appeals to: