- International Student Admissions Argument Evaluation and Flaws Flashcards

A politician argues: 'Country X banned plastic bags and saw a 10% reduction in ocean pollution. Therefore, if we ban plastic bags, we will also see a 10% reduction.' What flaw is present?

Answer: Assuming that results from one country will directly transfer to another with potentially different circumstances

Different countries have different pollution sources, enforcement capabilities, and consumer behaviors, making direct comparison unreliable.

An editorial states: 'Professor Smith, a renowned physicist, says that the new economic policy will fail. We should take his expert opinion seriously.' What is the primary flaw?

Answer: Expertise in physics does not constitute expertise in economics -- this is an inappropriate appeal to authority

Physics expertise does not transfer to economics. Citing a physicist as an authority on economic matters is a misapplication of appeal to authority.

'Since we started using the new textbook, test scores have improved by 15%. The new textbook is clearly more effective than the old one.' Evaluate this argument.

Answer: The argument assumes the textbook is the only variable that changed and ignores potential confounding factors

The argument commits the post hoc ergo propter hoc fallacy by attributing score improvement solely to the textbook without considering other factors.

'We should not adopt renewable energy because solar panels require mining for rare earth minerals, which harms the environment.' Identify the argumentative flaw.

Answer: The argument uses a part-to-whole flaw, judging an entire category by one component's drawback while ignoring net environmental comparison

The argument cherry-picks one environmental cost of one technology to reject all renewable energy, while failing to compare total impacts against fossil fuels.

A company CEO states: 'Our employees are happy because our turnover rate is lower than the industry average.' Which assumption makes this argument most vulnerable?

Answer: That low turnover necessarily indicates employee satisfaction rather than factors like limited alternative employment or compensation lock-in

Low turnover can result from lack of alternatives, unvested benefits, or inertia, none of which indicate genuine satisfaction.

'If we allow students to use calculators in class, soon they won't be able to do any math without technology, and eventually they'll lose all ability to think logically.' What type of flaw is this?

Answer: Slippery slope -- the argument assumes an extreme chain of consequences without demonstrating that each step necessarily follows

The argument jumps from calculator use to complete inability to think logically through unsubstantiated steps.