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Exam 3: Informal Fallacies

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Question 111

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Paul Derrick, president of Big Tex Oil Co., says that we should open up all coastal waters of the U.S. to oil drilling. He promises that not a speck of pollution will result. Given Derrick's expertise in these matters, it follows that we should open up these waters immediately.

A) False cause.
B) Begging the question.
C) Argument against the person, circumstantial.
D) Appeal to unqualified authority.
E) No fallacy.

F) C) and E)
G) C) and D)

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Question 112

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The war in Iraq was justified beyond any question. America was founded in the spirit of freedom and self-determination, and it finds its destiny in liberating the victims of tyranny wherever they languish! America is a beacon of hope for the oppressed, a refuge for the downtrodden, a shining star of freedom for the whole world! The hand of the Almighty points the way! Every true patriot will heed the clarion call of freedom for all humankind!

A) No fallacy.
B) Missing the point.
C) Slippery slope.
D) Appeal to the people.
E) Appeal to pity.

F) All of the above
G) A) and D)

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Question 113

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The government has no right to spy on its citizens because citizens have a right to privacy. And this is true because such a right is guaranteed by the Constitution-which follows from the fact that our founding fathers recognized the sanctity of individual privacy against the intrusive power of the government. And of course this is true because the government has no right to spy on its citizens.

If U.S. Presidents start more wars, then the U.S. will go broke. If U.S. Presidents start more wars, then every country will boycott U.S. products. Therefore, if every country boycotts U.S. products, then the U.S. will go broke.

If media pundits accept bribes, then all credibility will vanish. If media pundits accept bribes, then national cynicism will grow. Thus, if all credibility vanishes, then national cynicism will grow.

Pet owners argue for a law to ensure that pet food is free of lethal contaminants. Apparently they are unaware that half the children of the world eat contaminated food and drink polluted water every day. Thousands of these kids die regularly from cholera. The nations of the world should unite to halt this ongoing tragedy. In the mean time, we can forget about pets.

More people in America drink Budweiser than any other beer. Clearly, then, if you drink beer, you should drink Bud.

This brick made of 24 caret gold has been sliced into 50 pieces. Therefore, each of the pieces must be 24 caret gold.

Mark is a rotten salesman. But every salesman is a person. Therefore, Mark is a rotten person.

Professor Smyth argues for the adoption of stronger standards covering food imported from China. But Smyth is a disgusting leftist ex hippie who reportedly has sex with his female students. Smyth's arguments are trash, just as he is.

William likes to eat. He also likes to make love. It follows that William likes to eat while he's making love.

By accident Shelley left her old fashioned flashlight turned on all night. Therefore, it's likely that the batteries are dead.

Which of the following is presented as a factor leading to the commission of informal fallacies?

Every hair on Jane's head is blond. Therefore, Jane is a blond.

It's good to exercise 30 minutes per day because it rejuvenates your body. And we know it rejuvenates your body because people who exercise live longer than those who don't. And we know they live longer because people who exercise feel better. And this is true because it's good to exercise 30 minutes per day.

Irving is a wonderful cook. But every cook is a human being. Therefore, Irving is a wonderful human being.

Global warming has never been a big problem in the past. Therefore, it won't be a big problem in the future.

Jackson and Sean are sixteen-year-olds with similar interests. Jackson loves the latest Nintendo video game. Therefore, probably Sean would love it, too.

Professor Friedman, the great constitutional scholar, says that the First Amendment is the most important part of the Bill of Rights. We therefore conclude that the First Amendment is indeed the most important part of the Bill of Rights.

Movie star Marci Downs says in magazine ads that the new Porsche XKG is the sexiest car on the road. But you shouldn't take what she says too seriously because she's paid thousands of dollars to make these ads.