Understanding Logical Fallacies
\nDirected Learning Activity\u2014Critical Thinking 05
\nEssential Question
\nWhat is a logical fallacy and how do I spot fallacies in a visual?
\nPurpose
\nThis activity is designed to strengthen your knowledge of five common logical fallacies and how to
\nrecognize them in literary works.
\nThis DLA should take approximately 30 to 45 minutes to complete.
\nDirections
\nRead the information below taken directly from \u201cFallacies\u201d by The Writing Center, University of North
\nCarolina at Chapel Hill, and Beyond Feelings: A Guide to Critical Thinking by Vincent Ryan Ruggiero, then
\ndo the activity on the next page. You only need to print the activity page.
\nHasty Generalization
\nDefinition: Making assumptions about a whole group or range of cases based on a sample that is
\ninadequate (usually because it is atypical or too small). Stereotypes about people (\u201clibrarians are shy
\nand smart,\u201d \u201cwealthy people are snobs,\u201d etc.) are a common example of the principle underlying hasty
\ngeneralization.
\nExample: \u201cMy roommate said her philosophy class was hard, and the one I\u2019m in is hard, too. All
\nphilosophy classes must be hard!\u201d Two people\u2019s experiences are, in this case, not enough on which to
\nbase a conclusion.
\nSlippery Slope
\nDefinition: The arguer claims that a sort of chain reaction, usually ending in some dire consequence, will
\ntake place, but there\u2019s really not enough evidence for that assumption. The arguer asserts that if we
\ntake even one step onto the \u201cslippery slope,\u201d we will end up sliding all the way to the bottom; he or she
\nassumes we can\u2019t stop partway down the hill.
\nExample: \u201cAnimal experimentation reduces our respect for life. If we don\u2019t respect life, we are likely to
\nbe more and more tolerant of violent acts like war and murder. Soon our society will become a
\nbattlefield in which everyone constantly fears for their lives. It will be the end of civilization. To prevent
\nthis terrible consequence, we should make animal experimentation illegal right now.\u201d
\nFalse Analogy
\nDefinition: Many arguments rely on an analogy between two or more objects, ideas, or situations. If the
\ntwo things that are being compared aren\u2019t really alike in the relevant respects, the analogy is a weak
\none, and the argument that relies on it commits the fallacy of weak analogy.
\nExample: \u201cGuns are like hammers\u2014they\u2019re both tools with metal parts that could be used to kill
\nsomeone. And yet it would be ridiculous to restrict the purchase of hammers\u2014so restrictions on
\npurchasing guns are equally ridiculous.\u201d
\nEither\/Or (False Dichotomy)
\nDefinition: In false dichotomy, the arguer sets up the situation so it looks like there are only two choices.
\nThe arguer then eliminates one of the choices, so it seems that we are left with only one option: the one
\nthe arguer wanted us to pick in the first place. But often there are really many different options, not just
\ntwo\u2014and if we thought about them all, we might not be so quick to pick the one the arguer
\nrecommends.
\nExample: \u201cCaldwell Hall is in bad shape. Either we tear it down and put up a new building, or we
\ncontinue to risk students\u2019 safety. Obviously we shouldn\u2019t risk anyone\u2019s safety, so we must tear the
\nbuilding down.\u201d
\nIrrational Appeal to Tradition
\nDefinition: An irrational appeal urges maintaining the tradition merely because we\u2019ve always done so.
\nExample: For many years, doctors refused to accept indisputable evidence that washing their hands
\nbetween patients curtailed the spread of disease simply because washing hands between patients was
\nnot part of the medical tradition (Ruggiero 131).
\nExercise
\nNow that you have read about five common logical fallacies, read the excerpts below, indicate which
\nfallacy is at play (if any), and then explain why.
\n1) \u201cThat\u2019s all there is,\u201d my father said. \u201cWar and peace with nothing in between. It\u2019s always one or
\nanother.\u201d (Taken from \u201cBecause My Father Always Said. . .\u201d by Sherman Alexie)
\n2) Scout says, \u201cUntil I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing.\u201d
\n(Taken from To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee)
\n3) \u201cDamn pack of crazy fools,\u201d says Old Man Warner after being told that some people want to
\ngive up the lottery. \u201cNext thing you know, they\u2019ll be wanting to go back to living in caves,
\nnobody work any more. Live that way for awhile.\u201d (Taken from \u201cThe Lottery\u201d by Shirley Jackson)
\n4) \u201cThere\u2019s always been a lottery,\u201d asserts Old Man Warner in defense of keeping the lottery.
\n(Taken from \u201cThe Lottery\u201d by Shirley Jackson)
\n5) As my white friends revived me and prepared to take me to the emergency room where doctors
\nwould later diagnose my diabetes, the Chicano teacher ran up to us. \u201cHey,\u201d he said. \u201cWhat\u2019s
\nthat boy been drinking? I know all about these Indian kids. They start drinking real young.\u201d
\n(Taken from \u201cIndian Education\u201d by Sherman Alexie)
\nReview your answers with an instructor or tutor in the Virtual Writing & Reading Center. Be sure you can
\nanswer the essential question above.<\/p>\n
—-<\/p>\n
Understanding Logical Fallacies\u2014Critical Thinking Directed Learning Activity 05<\/p>\n
The Crucial Question<\/p>\n
What is a logical fallacy, and how can I identify one in a visual?<\/p>\n
Purpose<\/p>\n
This activity is intended to improve your understanding of five basic logical fallacies and how to avoid them.<\/p>\n
They can be found in literary works.<\/p>\n
This DLA should take between 30 and 45 minutes to finish.<\/p>\n
Directions<\/p>\n
Read the information below, which was taken directly from “Fallacies” by The Writing Center at the University of North Carolina.<\/p>\n
Carolina at Chapel Hill, as well as Vincent Ryan Ruggiero’s Beyond Feelings: A Guide to Critical Thinking,<\/p>\n
Carry out the exercise on the next page. The only thing you need to do is print the activity page.<\/p>\n
Excessive Generalization<\/p>\n
Making conclusions about a whole group or range of situations based on a small sample size<\/p>\n
inadequate<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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