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Logical Fallacies

This document discusses different methods of philosophizing and logical reasoning. It covers phenomenology, existentialism, postmodernism, and the analytic tradition as methods of philosophizing. It then covers inductive reasoning, deductive reasoning, syllogisms, and common logical fallacies such as ad hominem attacks, false dilemmas, hasty generalizations, red herrings, appeals to emotion, ignorance, and popularity. Examples are provided for many of the logical fallacies. References for further information on fallacies are also included.

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Eunise Punzalan Oprin

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)

231 views

Logical Fallacies

Uploaded by

Eunise Punzalan Oprin

We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.

Available Formats

Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

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Methods of

philosophizing
A. Phenomenology: On consciousness
- founded by Edmund Husserl
- it is a scientific study of the essential

“
structures of consciousness.
- “phenomenon” means “appearance”.
- truth is based on consciousness

B. Existentialism: On Freedom
- truth is based on exercising freedom
- often thought to be antireligious
- first existentialist in 19th century is Soren
Kierkegaard (Danish philosopher)
C. Postmodernism: On cultures
- adhere to a relational, holistic approach

“
- value our existence in the world
- truth is not absolute

D. Analytic Tradition
- Ludwig Wittgenstein (analytic
philosopher), language is socially
conditioned.
E. Logic and critical thinking: Tools in
reasoning

“
- “logos” order/reason
- centered in the analysis and construction
of arguments.
- critical thinking distinguishes facts and
opinions or personal feelings.
- based on reasoning and critical thinking
Inductive reasoning – uses patterns to
arrive at a conclusion.
(observation to make generalizations)

“
Deductive reasoning – uses facts, rules,
defnitions or properpties to arrive at a
conclusion
(draws conclusion to specific assertion)
Syllogism:

All philosophers are wise. (Major premise)

Confucius is a philosopher. (Minor premise)
Therefore, Confucius is wise. (Conclusion)
Inductive Reasoning

“
1. Every quiz has been easy. Therefore, the
test will be easy.

1. The teachers uses PPT in the last few

classes. Therefore, the teacher will use
PPT tomorrow.
Deductive Reasoning

“
1. Gravity makes things fall. The apple that
hit my head was due to gravity.

1. If all organisms are made of cells, and

humans are organisms, then humans are
made of cells.
Syllogism: - kind of logical argument that
applies deductive reasoning to arrive at a
conclusion based on two or more propositions
that are asserted to be true.

“
All philosophers are wise. (Major premise)
Confucius is a philosopher. (Minor premise)
Therefore, Confucius is wise. (Conclusion)

All men are human.

All humans are mortal.
Therefore, all men are mortal.
Types of logical
fallacies
(5 selected logical fallacies)
What is a fallacy?
I have great examples for:
Ad
hominem: http://www.youtube.com/wat
ch?v=dWSN2zbydKw
False Dilemma
(Either/Or): http://www.southparkstud
ios.com/clips/151029/
Faulty Cause and
Effect: http://www.youtube.com/watch
?v=0ewWFWQwlTs (the first minute)
“
are common errors in reasoning that
will undermine the logic of your
argument. Fallacies can be either
illegitimate arguments or irrelevant
points, and are often identified
because they lack evidence that
supports their claim.
Hasty Generalization

This is a conclusion based on insufficient or

biased evidence. In other words, you are
rushing to a conclusion before you have all the
relevant facts.
Red Herring
This is a diversionary tactic that avoids the
key issues, often by avoiding opposing
arguments rather than addressing them.
Appeal to emotions
(Argument from pity)
It is an argument used by people who
wants to win people over by
manipulating their emotions.
For example:

Candidate A who has been

reported to be involved in
massive corruption of public
funds, would pay high rates of
advertisement in the media
portraying him as a poor and
suffering man.

“NALILIGO KA BA SA
DAGAT NG BASURA?” ---
Manny Villar
Argumentum Ad
hominem
(Against the person)
This is an attack on the character of a
person rather than his or her opinions or
arguments.
Argumentum Ad
hominem
(Against the person)
Ad hominem is Latin for “against the
man.”
Argumentum Ad
Ignorantiam
(Appeal to ignorance)
whatever has not been proved false must
be true, and vice versa.
Argumentum Ad
Populum
(Appeal to the people)
This argument is a favourite marketing
strategy by advertising agencies. Used by
appealing to the popular sentiments of the
public.
Example:

“Belo” products claims they

are more effective than other
brands through endorsement
of Actor/Actress.
Equivocation
This is a logical chain of reasoning of a
term or a word several times, but giving
the particular word a different meaning
each time.
Example:

Human beings have hands; the

clock has hands.

He is drinking from the pitcher of

water; he is a baseball pitcher.
Argumentum Ad Baculum
(Appeal to force)

An argument used by people who

want to win a conflict by issuing
threats to their opponents.
Example:

A student raises a critical question to

his math teacher. The teacher gets
upset with the question, and insists
that there is nothing wrong with what
he taught, and insinuates that if
students would question him further
then the whole class will be getting a
harder final exam.
Straw Man
This move oversimplifies an
opponent's viewpoint and then
attacks that hollow argument.
Logical Fallacies Activity

Goals: To discuss logical fallacies and to illustrate the importance of logically

sound arguments

Have students read about logical fallacies for homework.

Conduct a brief review, ideally one that includes examples, of common fallacies.

As a group activity, have students “sell” a product* using as many

fallacies as they can. Encourage students to go overboard here to make the
fallacies as outrageous and therefore transparent as possible. While (or after)
each group presents, the other class members should try to identify the fallacies.
An option is to keep score and award a prize to the “team” naming the most
fallacies or naming them the fastest.

One way to conclude this activity is to discuss the importance of logically sound
arguments, whether they be written or part of a “commercial.”

*Cleaning products or products that invoke ideals (like patriotism,

environmentalism or concepts like The Great Outdoors) work particularly well for
this activity.
References
Fallacy. Literary Devices.net, https://literarydevices.net/fallacy/.
Accessed 8 March 2017.