Identifying Logical Fallacies
What's the Principle? After learning about “logical fallacies” from readings and lecture, students will complete a short online quiz to test their knowledge of the principles behind logical fallacies.
Questions and Answers
- 1.
“Cat Stevens may be a successful and skilled musician, but let’s not forget that he’s been accused of extremist religious and political views.”
- A.
Slippery Slope
- B.
Bandwagon
- C.
Hasty Generalization
- D.
Ad Hominem
Correct Answer
D. Ad HominemExplanation
This statement is an example of an ad hominem fallacy. It attacks the character of Cat Stevens instead of addressing the argument or claims he has made. The statement suggests that because he has been accused of extremist religious and political views, his musical success and skill should be disregarded. This is a logical fallacy because it does not provide any evidence or reasoning to support the claim that his personal views invalidate his musical abilities.Rate this question:
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- 2.
“Why should we worry about the negative depiction of women in music videos when thousands of women are dying of AIDS each year?”
- A.
Bandwagon
- B.
Faulty Analogy
- C.
Non sequitur
- D.
Hasty Generalization
Correct Answer
C. Non sequiturExplanation
This question is an example of a non sequitur, which means that the conclusion does not logically follow from the premises. The question suggests that because women are dying of AIDS, we should not worry about the negative depiction of women in music videos. However, these two issues are unrelated and addressing one does not negate the importance of addressing the other. The question fails to provide a valid connection between the two topics, making it a non sequitur.Rate this question:
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- 3.
“Passing federal laws to control the amount of violence in music is the first step in a process that will result in absolute government control of the media and total censorship over all forms of artistic expression.”
- A.
Either-Or
- B.
False Cause
- C.
Slippery Slope
- D.
Bandwagon
Correct Answer
C. Slippery SlopeExplanation
The given statement suggests that passing federal laws to control violence in music will lead to absolute government control of the media and censorship of all forms of artistic expression. This is an example of a slippery slope fallacy because it assumes that one action will inevitably lead to a series of increasingly negative consequences without providing sufficient evidence or logical reasoning to support this claim.Rate this question:
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- 4.
“The music industry must either raise album prices or reduce pay for technicians and producers.”
- A.
Either-Or
- B.
Hasty Generalization
- C.
Faulty Analogy
- D.
False Cause
Correct Answer
A. Either-OrExplanation
The correct answer is "Either-Or" because the statement presents a false dilemma by suggesting that the only options for the music industry are to either raise album prices or reduce pay for technicians and producers. This assumes that these are the only possible solutions, ignoring other potential alternatives such as increasing revenue through marketing strategies or finding cost-saving measures in other areas.Rate this question:
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Current Version
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Mar 22, 2022Quiz Edited by
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Nov 29, 2011Quiz Created by
KKO2
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