Argument Flaw Identification Flashcards

Economist: Countries that have free trade agreements tend to have higher GDPs. Clearly, free trade agreements cause economic growth. What flaw does this argument commit?

Answer: It mistakes a correlation between two variables for a causal relationship

Wealthier countries may be more likely to enter trade agreements, reversing or complicating any supposed causal direction.

Teacher: Students who read more score higher on standardized tests. To improve test scores, we should require all students to read more. What is the flaw?

Answer: It assumes the correlation reflects causation and that mandating reading replicates natural reading habits

Students who read more may have other advantageous traits; mandating reading for all students may not reproduce those gains.

Philosopher: Freedom of speech is good because it allows people to say what they want, and saying what one wants is the very definition of freedom of speech. What flaw is present?

Answer: Circular reasoning — the conclusion is embedded in the premises

The argument defines freedom of speech as saying what one wants and then uses that same idea to prove freedom of speech is good, going in a circle.

Doctor: This patient took herbal supplements and recovered from her cold. The supplements must have cured her. What is the flaw?

Answer: Post hoc ergo propter hoc — assuming recovery after supplements means the supplements caused recovery

Colds typically resolve on their own; the patient may have recovered regardless of the supplements.

Lawyer: My client has no criminal record, comes from a good family, and is well-liked in the community. Therefore, he could not have committed this crime. What is the flaw?

Answer: It uses irrelevant personal characteristics to draw a conclusion about a specific act

Positive character traits are not incompatible with committing a crime and don't constitute evidence about whether this specific act occurred.

Pundit: Senator Lee voted against the education bill. She must not care about children. What is the primary flaw?

Answer: It assumes that opposing one policy is equivalent to opposing the underlying value

Voting against a specific bill could reflect concerns about cost, implementation, or alternative approaches rather than indifference to children.

Coach: Our star player says the team's new strategy is flawed. But she's just upset about losing playing time. We can ignore her criticism. What flaw is illustrated?

Answer: Ad hominem — dismissing an argument by attributing biased motives to the speaker

Even if the player has personal reasons for criticism, those motivations don't automatically invalidate the substance of her tactical analysis.