Week 9 Assignment 3: Short Essay Write A Brief Essay Showing

Week 9 Assignment 3: Short Essay Write a brief essay showing how

Write a brief essay showing how "Ignoring Alternatives" and "Ad Hominem (or “Ad Feminam") are related fallacies.

CRITICAL THINKING - Fallacies: Formal and Informal Fallacies Response Paper #3 Please choose any two documents in the primary sources link for this chapter--included in the module--and write a 1-2 page paper (12-point font, double spaced) where you explore each of the following: 1) Who wrote these two documents? 2) What are they about? 3) How do they relate to the chapter reading you did? 4) How do they relate to each other? 5) What are some questions you have after reading these two documents? Chapter Summary-9 In October 1929, the stock market's overinflated values collapsed, and the Great Depression began. Its causes were complex, and its consequences were enormous. In a few short years, the 2 percent unemployment rate of the 1920s had become the 25 percent rate of 1932. The nation's political institutions were not equipped to respond. The task overwhelmed local and private relief efforts. President Herbert Hoover’s tentative program of voluntary cooperation, big-business loans, and limited public works was activist by old standards but inadequate to the challenge. American tariffs and war-debt policy aggravated international economic problems and thereby added to domestic woes. Although the suffering of Americans, especially blacks and Hispanics, was great, most citizens clung to traditional values and resisted radical solutions. With veterans marching, farmers protesting, and millions not working, Franklin Delano Roosevelt won the presidency.

Paper For Above instruction

The assignment requires an exploration of how the fallacies of "Ignoring Alternatives" and "Ad Hominem" (or “Ad Feminam") are interconnected, supported by an analysis of two primary source documents relevant to the chapter's context. This essay must be approximately 1-2 pages, double-spaced, and focus on understanding these fallacies, their relation to the provided documents, and their broader implications within critical thinking.

Understanding fallacies is vital for developing robust critical thinking skills. The fallacy of "Ignoring Alternatives" occurs when a speaker or writer fails to consider reasonable alternative explanations or solutions, thereby presenting a biased or incomplete argument. "Ad Hominem," on the other hand, involves attacking an opponent's character or personal traits rather than addressing the substance of their argument. These fallacies often appear together in debates and persuasive texts, where dismissing alternatives and attacking opponents' character serve to undermine rational discourse.

Initially, it is essential to identify the authors and the content of the two primary source documents selected from the chapter's source links. Understanding their context—who wrote each document and what they are addressing—helps clarify how they relate to the chapter's themes. For example, if one document is a political speech condemning opponents personally, it might exemplify "Ad Hominem," while a policy proposal ignoring alternative economic strategies could exemplify "Ignoring Alternatives." Analyzing how these fallacies are demonstrated in each text reveals their interconnectedness; often, dismissing viable options is accompanied by personal attacks to weaken opposition, illustrating a common rhetorical strategy.

Furthermore, comparing these documents sheds light on how these fallacies function together to distort rational debate. For instance, a political argument that dismisses opposing viewpoints entirely, while attacking their proponents, exemplifies both fallacies working in tandem. Such strategies can hinder critical examination of issues like economic policy during the Great Depression, where diverse viewpoints existed but were often dismissed through fallacious reasoning.

After examining these documents, questions may arise about how widespread these fallacies are in contemporary discourse and what techniques can effectively counteract them. For example, how do media outlets and political figures perpetuate these fallacies? What strategies can educators and critical thinkers employ to recognize and challenge these fallacies effectively? These questions highlight the importance of understanding fallacies, not only for academic purposes but also for engaging responsibly in social and political debates.

In conclusion, the relationship between "Ignoring Alternatives" and "Ad Hominem" fallacies reveals a common rhetorical tactic to dismiss rational debate and promote biased or incomplete arguments. Analyzing primary source documents allows us to see how these fallacies manifest in real-world discourse, emphasizing the importance of critical awareness in evaluating arguments and maintaining rational discussions, especially on complex historical and political issues like those surrounding the Great Depression.

References

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• Walton, D. (2010). Informal Logic: A Pragmatic Approach. Cambridge University Press.
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