From Part I of the exercises in 3.4, only do these numbers: 1, 5, 7, 8, 11, 17, 18, 20, 22, and 25
Just name the fallacy being committed, unless there is no fallacy. If that’s the case, just type “NF”.
- We are only covering begging the question, complex question, and false dichotomy in this section, so your answers will be one of those or NF!
1. Either we require forced sterilization of Third World peoples or the world population will explode and all of us will die. We certainly don’t want to die, so we must require forced sterilization.
5. Why is it so difficult for you to reach a decision?
7. People who lack humility have no sense of beauty, because everyone who has a sense of beauty also has humility.
8. Butane is combustible. Therefore, it burns.
11. Alex, I heard your testimony in court earlier today. Tell me, why did you lie on the witness stand?
17. Either you marry me right now or I’ll be forced to leave you and never speak to you again. I’m sure you wouldn’t want me to do that. Therefore, you’ll marry me right now.
18. Either Meg Ryan or Britney Spears is a popular singer. Meg Ryan is not a popular singer. Therefore, Britney Spears is a popular singer.
20. Picasso is the greatest artist of the twentieth century. We know that this is so because art critics have described him in these terms. These art critics are correct in their assessment because they have a more keenly developed sense of appreciation than the average person. This is true because it takes a more keenly developed sense of appreciation to realize that Picasso is the greatest artist of the twentieth century.
22. Sylvia, I saw you shopping for wine the other day. Incidentally, are you still drinking excessively?
25. Of course abortion is permissible. After all, a woman has a right to do as she pleases with her own body.
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