These topics are from An Illustrated Book of Bad Arguments and serve as my pre-teaching before reading the actual book with our class.
Students in our class make their own 'Bad Arguments' book with titles, definitions in their own words, a visual symbol, and a mini comic that has an example of the logical fallacy.
1. Argument from Consequences
http://info.sabryfattah.com/wp-content/uploads/chain_letter.png
https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTvqpIp9Gl01RzkInBHOXAapdTFtF1J9tASzcJcP7VALgNRnK_Q_
x is true because it has 'good' effects
x is not true because it has 'bad' effects
I don't want to die, therefore there must be life after death.
We just couldn't make it through life without our car; it can't be that dangerous.
You'll like it - it feels great so its not so bad for you.
http://info.sabryfattah.com/wp-content/uploads/chain_letter.png
https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTvqpIp9Gl01RzkInBHOXAapdTFtF1J9tASzcJcP7VALgNRnK_Q_
x is true because it has 'good' effects
x is not true because it has 'bad' effects
I don't want to die, therefore there must be life after death.
We just couldn't make it through life without our car; it can't be that dangerous.
You'll like it - it feels great so its not so bad for you.
2. Straw Man
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5vzCmURh7o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGZkCPo7tC0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrnZdFFovBE
arguing against a fake version of a claim
Claim: "I think we should stop serving so much sugar in school lunches."
Response: "Why don't you think kids should be allowed to have any choices in life?"
Claim "I don't really want to do that - its just not my thing."
Response: "Oh, so now you're too scared to do it."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5vzCmURh7o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGZkCPo7tC0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrnZdFFovBE
arguing against a fake version of a claim
Claim: "I think we should stop serving so much sugar in school lunches."
Response: "Why don't you think kids should be allowed to have any choices in life?"
Claim "I don't really want to do that - its just not my thing."
Response: "Oh, so now you're too scared to do it."
3. Appeal to Irrelevant Authority
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgqM6xeZHNM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOAPMjsHLDM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92NklU-Ccoc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIIRmSV8JKE
an appeal to an authority that is not actually an expert
Huh - that really cool kid thinks Doritos are a great food. I guess they must be.
Did you read that one blog where it said glue can give you cancer?
Tyson said playing tag is dumb, its just for little kids and its boring.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgqM6xeZHNM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOAPMjsHLDM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92NklU-Ccoc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIIRmSV8JKE
an appeal to an authority that is not actually an expert
Huh - that really cool kid thinks Doritos are a great food. I guess they must be.
Did you read that one blog where it said glue can give you cancer?
Tyson said playing tag is dumb, its just for little kids and its boring.
4. Equivocation
http://www.trulyfallacious.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/equivocation.png
http://www.txstate.edu/philosophy/resources/fallacy-definitions/Equivocation.html
bending the meaning of one's words
Well you said you'd be ready in a second.
Scientists say man is an ape, but do you think that we are just like a Gorilla?
If you love it then why don't you marry it?
http://www.trulyfallacious.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/equivocation.png
http://www.txstate.edu/philosophy/resources/fallacy-definitions/Equivocation.html
bending the meaning of one's words
Well you said you'd be ready in a second.
Scientists say man is an ape, but do you think that we are just like a Gorilla?
If you love it then why don't you marry it?
5. False Dilemma
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dln3DJEcghY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgLrMHm32j4being given fake or fewer options than there really are
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSLeb9sxxu8
giving fake or fewer options than there really are
You are either with us or against us.
You can't do that - its lame.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dln3DJEcghY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgLrMHm32j4being given fake or fewer options than there really are
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSLeb9sxxu8
giving fake or fewer options than there really are
You are either with us or against us.
You can't do that - its lame.
6. Not a Cause for a Cause
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8ADnyw5ou8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTbZoKEOkUg
X causes Y because X and Y happen at the same time
"Wow!" Right after I rubbed Cade's head I made that 3 pointer. I better do that every time!
The holy man walks to the mountain every day at 4 in the morning to pray for the sun to rise, and every morning it does.
I saw you look in that locker right before the iPhone went missing, so you must have taken it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8ADnyw5ou8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTbZoKEOkUg
X causes Y because X and Y happen at the same time
"Wow!" Right after I rubbed Cade's head I made that 3 pointer. I better do that every time!
The holy man walks to the mountain every day at 4 in the morning to pray for the sun to rise, and every morning it does.
I saw you look in that locker right before the iPhone went missing, so you must have taken it.
7. Appeal to Fear
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AzLrn5JVIo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLeJ_WaH5tQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYKAbRK_wKA
saying a claim will have bad effects with no proof
If you vote for the other candidate, the economy will get worse.
I don't think we should be friends with the new girl. I bet she's not good enough for us.
You shouldn't wear those clothes. If you do, everybody will make fun of you in middle school.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AzLrn5JVIo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLeJ_WaH5tQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYKAbRK_wKA
saying a claim will have bad effects with no proof
If you vote for the other candidate, the economy will get worse.
I don't think we should be friends with the new girl. I bet she's not good enough for us.
You shouldn't wear those clothes. If you do, everybody will make fun of you in middle school.
8. Hasty Generalization
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUbOYkkgZls
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m40DZJZh6Ec
too small a sample size
That whole team is wearing Nikes. I guess that's just what all basketball players wear now.
I've been watering that plant regularly and its dying. I better stop watering the other plants.
Interesting. I heard about a guy who smokes and he is like 80. I guess its not so bad for you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUbOYkkgZls
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m40DZJZh6Ec
too small a sample size
That whole team is wearing Nikes. I guess that's just what all basketball players wear now.
I've been watering that plant regularly and its dying. I better stop watering the other plants.
Interesting. I heard about a guy who smokes and he is like 80. I guess its not so bad for you.
9. Appeal to Ignorance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ra8_gyY9R8
a claim is true because you don't have evidence against it
I don't understand how electricity works, so it must not be real.
I don't understand how evolution works, so it must not be true.
I don't know how he did that card trick; I guess it must be magic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ra8_gyY9R8
a claim is true because you don't have evidence against it
I don't understand how electricity works, so it must not be real.
I don't understand how evolution works, so it must not be true.
I don't know how he did that card trick; I guess it must be magic.
10. Not True Scotsman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zzSqL--d_I
ignoring exceptions or changing the rules
All girls are bad at sports. I know that one girl is good at sports, but she doesn't count.
All chocolate is sweet. What? That one isn't sweet? Well, that's not real chocolate.
Sharks are all just so huge and scary. What? Oh, I didn't know about the little one in that book. But that one shouldn't count.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zzSqL--d_I
ignoring exceptions or changing the rules
All girls are bad at sports. I know that one girl is good at sports, but she doesn't count.
All chocolate is sweet. What? That one isn't sweet? Well, that's not real chocolate.
Sharks are all just so huge and scary. What? Oh, I didn't know about the little one in that book. But that one shouldn't count.
11. Genetic Fallacy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mecNKf74mqc
using a person's background instead of real evidence
Sanchir always gets bad grades in math, so his answer can't be right.
The king said his son would be the best person to be the next king.
Nobody in her family has been to college, so there's no way that she could read that book.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mecNKf74mqc
using a person's background instead of real evidence
Sanchir always gets bad grades in math, so his answer can't be right.
The king said his son would be the best person to be the next king.
Nobody in her family has been to college, so there's no way that she could read that book.
12. Guilt by Association
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzRv3b6Jxw8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qSebttzqtk
saying a person's claim is wrong by relating it to a person or group that is 'bad.'
Don't listen to John's answer on the math test. He got the same answer as the guy who kicked my puppy.
Why would you think a blue shirt would be cool? I mean Carissa and her friends wear blue shirts and they're totes uncool.
I don't think baseball could ever be fun. I only ever see old people watch it on TV.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzRv3b6Jxw8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qSebttzqtk
saying a person's claim is wrong by relating it to a person or group that is 'bad.'
Don't listen to John's answer on the math test. He got the same answer as the guy who kicked my puppy.
Why would you think a blue shirt would be cool? I mean Carissa and her friends wear blue shirts and they're totes uncool.
I don't think baseball could ever be fun. I only ever see old people watch it on TV.
13. Affirming the Consequent
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WDDVz-EWFw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk-jVImiUDE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVgT-vZLK6Q
not realizing that even though A causes B, it could have other causes
I know that all basketball players wear Nike shoes. Edna is wearing Nike shoes, so she must be a basketball player.
I know that teenagers often drive fast and that car is driving fast, so it must be a teenager.
It is the mayor's job to reduce the crime rate, and the crime rate is going down, so it must be because of the mayor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WDDVz-EWFw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk-jVImiUDE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVgT-vZLK6Q
not realizing that even though A causes B, it could have other causes
I know that all basketball players wear Nike shoes. Edna is wearing Nike shoes, so she must be a basketball player.
I know that teenagers often drive fast and that car is driving fast, so it must be a teenager.
It is the mayor's job to reduce the crime rate, and the crime rate is going down, so it must be because of the mayor.
14. Appeal to Hypocrisy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sb1FExsRNJM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IOi4M4jhuw
responding to a claim with another claim
"Dude, you were out of bounds."
"Oh yeah, well remember when you travelled last game?"
"Why did you borrow money instead of raising taxes to pay for building the train line?"
"Why? Do you think you have a better idea?"
"You always bump my desk when you walk by!"
"Well you always spill your pencil shavings by my desk!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sb1FExsRNJM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IOi4M4jhuw
responding to a claim with another claim
"Dude, you were out of bounds."
"Oh yeah, well remember when you travelled last game?"
"Why did you borrow money instead of raising taxes to pay for building the train line?"
"Why? Do you think you have a better idea?"
"You always bump my desk when you walk by!"
"Well you always spill your pencil shavings by my desk!"
15. Slippery Slope
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gX9yDvl7zM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbgC5FU56wg
drawing extreme conclusions about what will happen over time
Well if we let people marry someone of the same gender, pretty soon we will have to let people marry trees or dogs or whatever they want to.
You can't take a day off soccer practice or pretty soon you'll never be going outside at all and just spend all your time eating chips and watching Youtube videos.
You can't hug your mom. You need to start toughening up, otherwise you'll never go to college and get a job and you'll just live at home forever.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gX9yDvl7zM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbgC5FU56wg
drawing extreme conclusions about what will happen over time
Well if we let people marry someone of the same gender, pretty soon we will have to let people marry trees or dogs or whatever they want to.
You can't take a day off soccer practice or pretty soon you'll never be going outside at all and just spend all your time eating chips and watching Youtube videos.
You can't hug your mom. You need to start toughening up, otherwise you'll never go to college and get a job and you'll just live at home forever.
16. Appeal to the Bandwagon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UO8v19OOc_8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPBs5_ZYTrg&list=PL2Rf1R6EcGZQt1pYA4_T7MUh2zGhVlqDY
claiming that something is right because of its popularity
I know tons of people who take vitamins every day; it must be good for you.
All the other kids are whining about reading that book; maybe I don't really like it after all.
My ideas are clearly the most effective; just look how many people voted for me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UO8v19OOc_8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPBs5_ZYTrg&list=PL2Rf1R6EcGZQt1pYA4_T7MUh2zGhVlqDY
claiming that something is right because of its popularity
I know tons of people who take vitamins every day; it must be good for you.
All the other kids are whining about reading that book; maybe I don't really like it after all.
My ideas are clearly the most effective; just look how many people voted for me.
17. Ad Hominem
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FD50OTR3arY
attacking a person's character instead of their ideas
A: The Cavs should of had James play point guard last night.
B: No way - I mean you don't really know anything about basketball.
Don't listen to her ideas about engineering. They are clearly wrong. She is being investigated for stealing money from the company she works for.
How could you think the movie he picked out was goo? I mean he's such a dork and he just hangs out with his little sister all the time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FD50OTR3arY
attacking a person's character instead of their ideas
A: The Cavs should of had James play point guard last night.
B: No way - I mean you don't really know anything about basketball.
Don't listen to her ideas about engineering. They are clearly wrong. She is being investigated for stealing money from the company she works for.
How could you think the movie he picked out was goo? I mean he's such a dork and he just hangs out with his little sister all the time.
18. Circular Reasoning
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlFwPniNkWc
a claim that depends on itself
These rules the teacher wrote are great. I know because rule #4 is that all the rules the teachers writes are great.
The Holy Book is written by the Great One and is completely true. I know this because it says so in the Holy Book.
A: I can tell what is right or wrong by noticing how I feel.
B: How do you know if what you are feeling is correct?
C: Well I just see if it makes me feel right or wrong.
Driving fast, as long as its not over the speed limit, is legal because it is safe. And its safe because its legal.
Stephen Curry is a great shooter because he is one of the best shooters in history.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlFwPniNkWc
a claim that depends on itself
These rules the teacher wrote are great. I know because rule #4 is that all the rules the teachers writes are great.
The Holy Book is written by the Great One and is completely true. I know this because it says so in the Holy Book.
A: I can tell what is right or wrong by noticing how I feel.
B: How do you know if what you are feeling is correct?
C: Well I just see if it makes me feel right or wrong.
Driving fast, as long as its not over the speed limit, is legal because it is safe. And its safe because its legal.
Stephen Curry is a great shooter because he is one of the best shooters in history.
19. Composition and Division
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bgjZxs7wYk
assuming that parts and wholes have the same traits
That's so cool how you can get honey from a beehive. I bet we could catch one bee as a pet and have it make honey.
Our basketball team beat their basketball team. Therefore, and 1 of our players could beat any 1 of their players.
The leaves on that plant are dying. I guess the whole plant must be dying.
Each of the 20 kids in our class can lift 50 pounds. I guess together they could lift a 1,000 pound weight.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bgjZxs7wYk
assuming that parts and wholes have the same traits
That's so cool how you can get honey from a beehive. I bet we could catch one bee as a pet and have it make honey.
Our basketball team beat their basketball team. Therefore, and 1 of our players could beat any 1 of their players.
The leaves on that plant are dying. I guess the whole plant must be dying.
Each of the 20 kids in our class can lift 50 pounds. I guess together they could lift a 1,000 pound weight.
