Fallacy Review
Rhetorical devices not just about language
choice.
Rhetorical devices also include “pretend
reasoning” called…
• Pseudoreasoning:
– Presenting premises that sound like
part of a legitimate argument, but do
not really give good reasons to
believe a conclusion.
Rhetoric
Pseudoreasoning leads us to fallacies.
• Fallacies:
– Mistakes in reasoning.
Just because an argument
reminds us of a fallacy doesn’t
make it one.
Just because an argument has a
fallacy, doesn’t mean a belief is
not true.
HW Review
• Examples anyone want to share?
Fallacies in Ads
Fallacies in Ads
Fallacies in Ads
Fallacies in Ads
Fallacies
If the commercial was used to argue
against a claim made by Newt Gingrich,
then we would have the
Most Common Fallacy on Earth!!
Ad Hominem Fallacy
Ad Hominem Fallacy
What’s wrong with this argument?
“According to Al Gore, global warming is the most
serious threat facing us today. Folks, what a crock.
Al Gore spends $20,000 each year on electricity in
his Tennessee mansion!”
Premise:
Al Gore spends $20,000 each year on electricity .
Conclusion:
Therefore, global warming is not the most serious
threat facing us today.
Fallacies
What’s wrong with this argument?
“According to Al Gore, global warming is the most
serious threat facing us today. Folks, what a crock.
Al Gore spends $20,000 each year on electricity in
his Tennessee mansion!”
What would be relevant premises?
• Rising sea levels
• Death of coral reefs
• Rising CO2 levels
• Rising global temperatures
• Al Gore electricity bill?
Fallacies
Just because somebody is a fool,
does not necessarily make what
they say foolish.
Fallacies
Ad Hominem Fallacy
• Confusing the quality of a person making a
claim with the quality of the claim itself.
• Several Types
–They all avoid addressing the argument
by attacking the arguer instead.
Fallacies
Ad Hominem Fallacies
#1. Special Type: Personal Attack Ad Hominem
–Based on not liking the person.
“What Mitt Romney says about air pollution
is a joke! That clown will say anything to
get attention!”
Fallacies
Ad Hominem Fallacies
#2. Special Type: Inconsistency Ad Hominem
–Discredit a person because she changed her
mind or has behaviors that conflict with her claim.
“Senator Clinton says we should get out of
Iraq. What a bunch of garbage coming
from her! She voted for the war, don’t
forget.”
“Dad said smoking is bad for me. What’s that
all about? He smokes a pack a day!”
Fallacies
Ad Hominem Fallacies
#3. Special Type: Circumstantial Ad Hominem
–Discredit a person by referring to the person’s
circumstances.
“What Al Gore says about air pollution is pure
bull. He makes a fortune from alternative
energy investments. What do you think
he’d say?”