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1
Fallacies
2
Begging the Question
• No support/ evidence
• *Everybody knows that MJC students are the brightest in the East.
• This begs the question: Where is the evidence? / where is the proof?
• Ans: I know because it is true.
3
Red Herring
• Irrelevant / misleading evidence.
• Distracts the audience from the real argument.
• *Ali could not have stolen the candy because the shopkeeper was overtly racist.
• The shopkeeper’s racism is not an issue -Ali’s possession of stolen candies is.
4
Non Sequiter
• Conclusion does not follow the evidence.
• *Women should not be HODs because they are not as strong as men.
• *Mr Chiam should not be MP cos’ he only has 4 As.
• What has strength to do with anything?
• What has grades to do with being a MP?
5
Straw Man
• Attributing an argument to an opponent that he has never made. Then proceeds to demolish the pseudo-argument.
• *Female Councillor, “My gender is not a problem in this election. In fact my gender will add value to the school.”
• Who ever said that female councillors are going to be problems?
6
Stacked Evidence
• One sided argument.• * All TV promotes
family values. Eg. Under One Roof, Growing Up, Sesame Street…
• Did not consider: Son of the Beach, Baywatch, Melrose Place…
7
Either-Or
• Oversimplified into Black or White.
• *Women must either be housewives or career women.
• *You are either my friend or my enemy!
• *Vote PAP or face economic ruin!
• No room for middle-ground; too extreme ignore grey areas in real life.
• Force people to choose.
8
Post Hoc
• Claim that one thing to another.
• *Smoking is what a real man does.
• *Using “Eternity” by Calvin Klein will drive hordes of men wild.
• *Ignore Jason. It always rains with him around.
• Wrong claim.
9
Hasty Generalization
• Jump to conclusions• Stereotyping• *Mr Pang’s wife gave him
a big scolding last night. Therefore he is a henpecked husband.
• Absolutely rubbish. Mr Pang is just being understanding & open about issues.
10
Ad Hominen
• <add – hall – minen>• Prejudiced / biased
against the person• Poisoning the well.• *Clinton is not fit to be
a President because he had an affair with Monica Lewinsky.
• Sexual Affairs vs Political Ability
11
Guilt by Association
• A person is judged because of the misdeeds of friends/ association.
• *Hillary cannot be president because Bill had an affair with Lewinsky.
• Bill’s problems have nothing to do with her.
12
Using Authority
• Relies on authority to prove a point.
• * We must take our temperatures because Miss Lai said so.
• The main reason is SARS.
I am Boss
13
Bandwagon Appeal
• Everyone is doing something so you should also.
• *I must get a girlfriend ‘cos Samson has one.
• Do not follow the crowd.
14
Slippery Slope
• Domino effect.• Scare tactic• Sliding to disaster.• *If we have one boy
with long hair today, the school will go to dogs tomorrow.
• Exaggeration!
15
False Needs
• Heighten the false sense of need.
• *If you want smart kids, you must buy a set of encyclopaedias.
• * If you want white shiny teeth, you must use Oral B.