CCTST Logical Fallacies 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: "Legalizing marijuana will lead to widespread drug addiction and eventually the collapse of society." Which fallacy does this commit?
- Slippery slope (Correct answer)
- False dilemma
- Appeal to tradition
- Hasty generalization
Correct answer: Slippery slope
Slippery slope assumes that one event will inevitably lead to extreme consequences without sufficient justification.
Question 2: "We've always held graduation ceremonies in person; there's no reason to change that now." This exemplifies:
- Appeal to authority
- Appeal to tradition (Correct answer)
- Bandwagon fallacy
- Begging the question
Correct answer: Appeal to tradition
Appeal to tradition assumes something is correct or better simply because it has been done that way historically.
Question 3: During a debate, a candidate starts discussing the opponent's tax returns when asked about healthcare policy. This is a:
- Straw man
- Red herring (Correct answer)
- False dilemma
- Ad hominem
Correct answer: Red herring
A red herring introduces an irrelevant topic to divert attention from the original issue.
Question 4: "The word 'bank' can mean a financial institution or a riverbank. Since banks hold deposits, rivers must hold deposits too." This illustrates:
- Equivocation (Correct answer)
- Amphiboly
- Begging the question
- False analogy
Correct answer: Equivocation
Equivocation uses a word with multiple meanings in different ways within the same argument to create a misleading conclusion.
Question 5: A study of 15 college students concludes that 'young Americans prefer online learning over in-person classes.' What fallacy is present?
- False analogy
- Hasty generalization (Correct answer)
- Post hoc
- Circular reasoning
Correct answer: Hasty generalization
Hasty generalization draws a broad conclusion from an unrepresentative or too-small sample.
Question 6: "Organic food is better because it's natural, and natural things are always healthier." This is an example of:
- Appeal to nature (Correct answer)
- Appeal to authority
- Slippery slope
- Post hoc ergo propter hoc
Correct answer: Appeal to nature
Appeal to nature assumes something is good or correct because it is natural, ignoring that natural does not always mean beneficial.
Question 7: "God exists because the Bible says so, and the Bible is true because it is the word of God." This is classified as:
- Circular reasoning (Correct answer)
- False dilemma
- Red herring
- Genetic fallacy
Correct answer: Circular reasoning
Circular reasoning (begging the question) uses the conclusion as a premise in the argument, offering no independent support.
CCTST Logical Fallacies 3
"Legalizing marijuana will lead to widespread drug addiction and eventually the collapse of society." Which fallacy does this commit?