Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Identifying Logical Fallacies Questions and Answers 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A debater claims: 'My opponent's plan to reduce taxes is just a way to help the rich get richer.' The opponent actually proposed a targeted tax credit for low-income earners. Which fallacy is this?
- Red herring
- Straw man (Correct answer)
- False dilemma
- Equivocation
Correct answer: Straw man
The straw man fallacy misrepresents an opponent's position to make it easier to attack.
Question 2: A company's CEO says: 'Since every part of our manufacturing process is efficient, our entire factory must be the most efficient in the industry.' This commits the:
- Division fallacy
- Composition fallacy (Correct answer)
- Equivocation
- Circular reasoning
Correct answer: Composition fallacy
The composition fallacy incorrectly assumes that what is true of parts must be true of the whole.
Question 3: A reviewer writes: 'Since this novel won a prestigious award, it must be well-written and enjoyable for all readers.' Which fallacy does this commit?
- Appeal to authority (Correct answer)
- Hasty generalization
- False cause
- Bandwagon fallacy
Correct answer: Appeal to authority
Appeal to authority incorrectly uses an expert judgment (award committee) as definitive proof for a subjective universal claim.
Question 4: 'Many people believe that working hard guarantees success, so it must be true.' This is an example of:
- Appeal to tradition
- Bandwagon fallacy (argumentum ad populum) (Correct answer)
- Begging the question
- Red herring
Correct answer: Bandwagon fallacy (argumentum ad populum)
The bandwagon fallacy treats widespread belief as evidence of truth, regardless of actual supporting evidence.
Question 5: During a debate on climate policy, a senator changes the subject to argue about the country's economic growth record. This tactic is known as:
- Red herring (Correct answer)
- Straw man
- Ad hominem
- False dilemma
Correct answer: Red herring
A red herring introduces an irrelevant topic to divert attention from the original argument.
Question 6: Argument: 'The Bible is true because it says so in the Bible.' This reasoning illustrates:
- Circular reasoning (begging the question) (Correct answer)
- False cause
- Appeal to ignorance
- Hasty generalization
Correct answer: Circular reasoning (begging the question)
Circular reasoning (petitio principii) uses the conclusion as a premise to support itself, providing no independent evidence.
Question 7: A philosophy student argues that since each page of a textbook is easy to read, the entire textbook can be read in minutes. This best illustrates the:
- Division fallacy
- Composition fallacy (Correct answer)
- Slippery slope
- Equivocation
Correct answer: Composition fallacy
The composition fallacy wrongly infers that a property of individual parts (each page being quick to read) applies to the whole.
Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Identifying Logical Fallacies Questions and Answers 4
A debater claims: 'My opponent's plan to reduce taxes is just a way to help the rich get richer.' The opponent actually proposed a targeted tax credit for low-income earners.
Which fallacy is this?