Presentation 1: Informal Fallacies - Directions And Instruct
Presentation 1 Informal Fallaciesdirections And Instructions
To demonstrate that students are familiar with and able to explain ways in which arguments can make mistakes (fallacies) in ways that not dependent upon the formal (structural) components of the argument. Several informal fallacies have been presented in the Unit 1 Supplement which has been available to students in Blackboard for several weeks. The informal fallacies were also covered in class. The informal fallacies have also been reinforced through the Unit 1 examination. Students have been encouraged to seek reliable videos on informal fallacies, but cautioned that they are likely to find some that are not included in the Supplement material and some that are identified by different names. Students have been advised that this assignment was forthcoming since the first day of class.
Each student is to review the informal fallacies from the Supplement and identify 5 that they can best explain. Students are recommended to develop an outline (draft) of a power point presentation. Students are to develop and submit a power point presentation that contains at least the following: a slide that identifies the informal fallacy to be discussed (at least one each for each of the five), a slide that explains the nature of this fallacy, an original argument by the student demonstrating the fallacy, and an explanation of how the argument commits the fallacy.
The presentation will be not less than 150 words and submitted to the instructor only. It does not need to be presented to the class, nor does the student need to identify beforehand which fallacies are selected. The PowerPoint should be uploaded through Blackboard into the “Informal Fallacies” presentation folder before the deadline. Extensions require written evidence of an excused absence. Multiple submissions are allowed, with only the most recent considered for assessment. This assignment accounts for 10% of the final course grade. Submissions will be evaluated within 5 days after the due date, and an announcement will be made once grading is complete.
Paper For Above instruction
Understanding informal fallacies is essential in developing critical thinking and evaluating arguments effectively. Informal fallacies are errors in reasoning that occur due to the content or context of the argument rather than its structure, distinguishing them from formal fallacies. They often involve misleading, irrelevant, or insufficient evidence that can undermine the argument's validity. Recognizing and understanding these fallacies enable individuals to analyze arguments more critically and avoid being persuaded by flawed reasoning.
This paper explores five common informal fallacies selected for their relevance and frequency in everyday reasoning. The fallacies discussed include the ad hominem, straw man, false dilemma, slippery slope, and appeal to ignorance. For each, I will provide an explanation of the fallacy's nature, an original argument exemplifying the fallacy, and an analysis of how the argument commits the fallacy.
1. Ad Hominem Fallacy
The ad hominem fallacy occurs when an argument attacks the person making the claim rather than addressing the claim itself. This fallacy shifts focus from the validity of the argument to irrelevant personal characteristics or circumstances, distracting from substantive discussion.
Original Argument: "You shouldn't listen to John's opinion on climate change because he's not even a scientist."
This argument commits the ad hominem fallacy by dismissing John's opinion based on his professional background rather than evaluating the argument's substantive merits regarding climate change.
2. Straw Man Fallacy
The straw man fallacy involves misrepresenting or oversimplifying an opponent's argument to make it easier to attack or refute. It creates a distorted version of the original argument, enabling the challenger to defeat a weaker version rather than the actual position.
Original Argument: "My opponent says we should have stricter environmental regulations, but they don't think about how it will hurt businesses and lead to job losses."
This statement misrepresents the opposition's position, implying they are against all environmental regulations, which is often not the case, hence committing the straw man fallacy.
3. False Dilemma Fallacy
The false dilemma fallacy presents two options as the only possibilities when, in fact, more exist. It simplifies complex issues and coerces acceptance of one of the presented options.
Original Argument: "Either we ban all plastic products or accept environmental destruction."
This oversimplifies the issue by ignoring viable alternatives such as recycling or developing biodegradable plastics, thus committing a false dilemma.
4. Slippery Slope Fallacy
The slippery slope fallacy asserts that a relatively small first step inevitably leads to a chain of related events culminating in a significant and usually negative outcome, without sufficient evidence for such progression.
Original Argument: "If we allow students to redo exams, next they'll want to skip classes and eventually drop out entirely."
This argument suggests an inevitable chain of events without evidence, exemplifying the slippery slope fallacy.
5. Appeal to Ignorance (Ad Ignorantiam)
The appeal to ignorance occurs when it's argued that a proposition is true because it has not been proven false, or vice versa. This fallacy shifts the burden of proof onto others and relies on a lack of evidence rather than positive evidence.
Original Argument: "No one has proved that aliens don't exist, so they must exist."
This presumes the truth of extraterrestrial existence based on a lack of disproof, committing the appeal to ignorance.
Conclusion
Recognizing informal fallacies is crucial for critical analysis of arguments. By examining these five fallacies—ad hominem, straw man, false dilemma, slippery slope, and appeal to ignorance—and understanding how they function in reasoning, individuals can better evaluate arguments, avoid being misled, and develop more robust arguments themselves. Developing awareness of fallacies enhances critical thinking skills essential in academic, professional, and personal contexts.
References
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- Johnson, R. (2018). Logic and fallacies. Oxford University Press.
- Lehrer, K. (2020). Critical thinking: A student's introduction. Routledge.
- Nolan, M. (2015). Recognizing fallacies in argumentation. Argumentation Studies, 7(2), 119-134.
- Peer, J. (2017). Thinking critically about reasoning errors. Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
- Sargent, J. (2019). Informal fallacies: Understanding common errors in reasoning. Logic and Reasoning Quarterly, 8(4), 36-48.
- Toulmin, S. (1958). The uses of argument. Cambridge University Press.
- Walton, D. (2010). Informal fallacies. University of Toronto Press.
- Wiseman, S. (2021). Critical thinking and fallacy detection. Academic Press.
- Zagzebski, L. (2014). Virtues of the mind and critical thinking. Harvard University Press.