FYE 101
Also see pp. 175-177 in the St. Martin’s
Handbook
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Person A makes claim X. Person B makes an
attack on person A. Therefore A's claim is
false.
For example:
Although Ms. Bell’s book on Joe DiMaggio
was well researched, I doubt that an
Australian historian can contribute much to
our knowledge of an American baseball
player.
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Person A makes claim X. Person B asserts that
A's actions or past claims are inconsistent
with the truth of claim X. Therefore X is false.
Example:
◦ Sunera: I think there should be a way for illegal
immigrants to obtain citizenship.
◦ Barbara: But you just said the opposite last month,
so you must be wrong now.
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Person A is (claimed to be) an authority on
subject S. Person A makes claim C about
subject S. Therefore, C is true.
Example:
◦ Obama is a Muslim who was born somewhere in
Africa who wants to turn America into a Nazi-like
state. [This author is a citizen of Shreveport]
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Most people believe that a claim, X, is true.
Therefore X is true.
Example:
◦ Most people believe the United States is a Christian
Nation.
◦ Therefore, the United States is a Christian Nation.
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X is a common action. Therefore X is
correct/moral/justified/reasonable, etc.
Example:
◦ Most men view women as sex objects so there must
not be anything wrong with it; I guess guys are just
wired that way.
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Favorable emotions are associated with X.
Therefore, X is true.
Example:
◦ Heaven is a beautiful place where one is reunited
with departed love ones and lives an eternity of
happiness. Therefore, heaven exists.
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Y is presented (a claim that is intended to
produce fear). Therefore claim X is true (a
claim that is generally, but need not be,
related to Y in some manner).
Example:
◦ Do not “double dip” your chip in the salsa. You
could contract AIDS that way. [An actual statement
from a former staff member of Student Life at
Centenary]
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Person A is flattered by person B. Person B
makes claim X. Therefore X is true.
Example:
◦ Sam: Dr. Otto, you are the best teacher I have ever
encountered.
◦ Dr. Otto. Thanks, Sam.
◦ Sam: Just between us, I think Dr. Mackie does not
know anything in his discipline.
◦ Dr. Otto. Probably so! [Disclaimer: Actually this
conversation never took place]
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X is new. Therefore X is correct or better.
Example:
◦ The Iphone 6 is the latest in technology.
◦ Therefore the Iphone 6 is the best cell phone on the
market.
◦ I must have an Iphone 6 now!
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P is presented, with the intent to create pity.
Therefore claim C is true.
Example:
◦ Sunera: Thomas is the worst of the candidates we
have interviewed.
◦ Laura: But Thomas was nervous because he has
been unemployed for several months and really
needs the job to feed his family and feel like the
head of the household again.
◦ Sunera: Well, on second thought, I guess Thomas
would do ok in the position.
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X, which is some form of ridicule is presented
(typically directed at the claim). Therefore
claim C is false.
Example:
◦ Same-sex marriage? Not until the Bible is written
to say “Adam and Steve” rather than “Adam and Eve”
Ha-Ha!
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Claim X is presented with the intent of
generating spite. Therefore claim C is false
(or true)
Example:
◦ Sunera: I think John’s idea about our final exam in
FYE is a good one.
◦ Clyde: Oh, is this the same John who I heard called
you a *%$#@ biach at the KA house last weekend?
◦ Sunera: What??? Then John can take his idea and
shove it!
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X is old or traditional therefore X is correct or
better. The “We have always done it that way”
fallacy.
Example:
◦ Shandra: What! No catfish in the cafeteria on
Friday? We have always had “Catfish Friday” at
Centenary!
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Person P is pressured by his/her peers or
threatened with rejection. Therefore person
P's claim X is false.
Example:
◦ Sunera: I think that persons of all religious
convictions should be shown respect.
◦ Jackson: Well, Sunera, I guess you are not a Godfearing Christian like the rest of us. We sure will
miss you here.
◦ Sunera: Ha-Ha! Only joking! I know they will all
burn in Hell!! Yay!
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Premises in which the truth of the conclusion
is claimed or the truth of the conclusion is
assumed (either directly or indirectly). Claim
C (the conclusion) is true. Also known as a
circular argument.
Example:
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Sunera: How do you know God exists?
Evan: Because the Bible says so.
Sunera: But why should I believe the Bible?
Evan: Because God wrote it.
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Claim X is presented by side A and the
burden of proof actually rests on side B. Side
B claims that X is false because there is no
proof for X.
Example:
◦ Sunera: I believe in reincarnation.
◦ Tommy: But where is your proof?
◦ Sunera: Tommy, nobody has yet to prove that
reincarnation does not occur!