ISAT Argument Evaluation and Flaws 2

Question 1

A politician argues: 'Crime rates fell after we increased police patrols, so the patrols caused the drop.' Which flaw is present?

Accepted Answer

Post hoc ergo propter hoc

Answer

Assuming that because one event followed another the first caused the second is the post hoc fallacy.

Question 2

Which of the following best identifies a 'straw man' fallacy?

Accepted Answer

Misrepresenting an opponent's argument to make it easier to attack

Answer

A straw man fallacy involves distorting or exaggerating an opponent's position before refuting it.

Question 3

A researcher concludes that a drug is safe because no side effects appeared in a 2-week trial on 10 patients. What is the main weakness?

Accepted Answer

The sample size and duration are too small to generalise

Answer

Ten patients over two weeks is an insufficient sample and time frame to draw broad safety conclusions.

Question 4

'Everyone on social media says this diet works, so it must be effective.' This argument relies on which flaw?

Accepted Answer

Ad populum (appeal to popularity)

Answer

Appealing to the number of people who believe something (ad populum) does not establish truth.

Question 5

An argument states: 'If we allow students to redo one test, they'll demand to redo every test forever.' This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Slippery slope

Answer

The slippery slope fallacy assumes an initial action will inevitably lead to extreme consequences without adequate justification.

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