Identifying Logical Fallacies Questions and Answers Flashcards
6 cards from real Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
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Argument: 'If we allow students to use calculators in math exams, soon they won't be able to do any mental arithmetic at all.' What fallacy is this?
Answer: Slippery slope — it assumes allowing calculators will inevitably lead to a severe, unjustified extreme.
The argument jumps from allowing calculators in exams to the extreme outcome of total arithmetic inability without demonstrating the causal chain linking these outcomes.
Argument: 'My grandfather smoked his whole life and lived to 95 — so smoking can't be that harmful.' What fallacy does this commit?
Answer: Hasty generalization — it uses one exceptional case to deny a population-level statistical pattern.
One exceptional anecdote cannot override population-level statistical data showing dramatically higher rates of lung cancer, COPD, and cardiovascular disease among smokers.
Argument: 'We are spending too much money on space exploration. Therefore, we should spend that money on solving hunger.' What fallacy might lurk in this reasoning?
Answer: False dilemma — it assumes the only alternative to space spending is hunger relief, when the money could serve many purposes.
The argument implies only two uses for the money (space exploration or hunger relief), when government budget allocations involve many competing priorities and the freed funds could go elsewhere.
Argument: 'We've always hired experienced candidates over new graduates — there's no reason to change that now.' What fallacy does this represent?
Answer: Appeal to tradition — the practice's longevity is used to justify continuing it without examining whether it serves current needs.
The argument uses historical practice as the only justification without evaluating whether the reasons for the practice remain valid in current circumstances.
Argument: 'Professor Chen argues that economic growth doesn't reduce inequality, but she's from a communist country, so her analysis can't be trusted.' What fallacy is this?
Answer: Ad hominem (circumstantial) — attacking the professor's background to dismiss her argument rather than addressing its substance.
Attacking her national background rather than her methodology or data commits ad hominem — the validity of her research depends on its empirical merits, not her country of origin.
Argument: 'If this medicine were truly ineffective, pharmaceutical companies wouldn't be selling it. Since they are selling it, it must work.' What type of fallacy is this?
Answer: Circular reasoning — the argument assumes what it tries to prove.
The argument assumes that commercial availability proves effectiveness, but this is circular — it assumes pharmaceutical companies only sell effective products, which is the very claim being evaluated.