Logical Fallacies Flashcards

"Studies show Exercise X improves mood, and walking is a form of exercise, so walking must improve mood." This argument is valid but which concern remains?

Answer: It commits the fallacy of false equivalence between exercise types

False equivalence assumes all exercises produce identical effects, when 'Exercise X' studied may differ significantly from walking in relevant ways.

A defense attorney argues: 'My client cannot be guilty of theft because he is a devoted family man.' Which fallacy is used?

Answer: Irrelevant conclusion (ignoratio elenchi)

Ignoratio elenchi presents an argument that is valid on its own but proves a conclusion different from (irrelevant to) what is at issue.

Which of the following arguments contains a 'middle term' error (undistributed middle)?

Answer: All cats are animals. All dogs are animals. Therefore, all cats are dogs.

The undistributed middle fallacy occurs when the middle term ('animals') is not distributed in either premise, allowing two unrelated things to be linked.

A researcher argues that because two variables correlate statistically, one must cause the other. Which critical thinking error is this?

Answer: Confusing correlation with causation

Confusing correlation with causation is a reasoning error where a statistical relationship is incorrectly interpreted as proof of a causal link.

"We should not adopt this new grading policy because Professor Jones, who proposed it, was once accused of plagiarism." This is best identified as:

Answer: Abusive ad hominem

Abusive ad hominem attacks the person's character or reputation to discredit their argument rather than engaging with the argument's merits.

In critical thinking, 'begging the question' most precisely means:

Answer: Assuming the conclusion within the premises of the argument

Begging the question (petitio principii) is a circular argument where the conclusion is implicitly assumed in one of the premises.

"Smoking can't be that harmful — my grandfather smoked a pack a day and lived to 95." Which fallacy does this commit?

Answer: Hasty generalization

Hasty generalization uses a single anecdotal case to challenge a statistically well-supported conclusion about a large population.