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Details Title: Fallacies in Reasoning Description: Logical fallcies based on lecture by Dr. David Zaresky Total Flash Cards: 24 Created: 02/18/2006 11:36:20	To study from this set of flash cards, or to create your own your own study flash cards, register HERE. If you are already a registered user, CLICK HERE.
Cards Term claim Definition the conclusion, or idea, you want your audience to accept Term warrant Definition the reasoning step; the logical steps that relate the data to the claim Term data Definition the evidence that supports the claim Term fallacy Definition a deficiency in the form of an argument that is not immediately apparent. Term deficiencies in clarity Definition result from the inexactness of language Term equivocation Definition the use of the same word to convey different meanings in the same argument. Term ambiguity Definition results when we cannot be sure which of a set of possible meanings is the intended meaning. Term vagueness Definition a situation in which a term or concept is indeterminate. Term heap Definition not knowing precisely when a difference in degree becomes a difference in kind Term slippery slope Definition an argument that suggests that a seemingly trivial or inconsequential action will start an irreversible chain of events leading to catastrophe. Term deficiencies in relevance Definition result from introducing a factor that has nothing to do with the relationship between the evidence and the claim Term ad hominem attack Definition an attack on a person is substituted for a response to an argument Term appeals to authority Definition fallacies if they substitute for argument or if the authority is outside the area of his or her expertise or has no basis for reaching conclusions Term appeals to popularity Definition substitute the fact that others support an idea for an argument in its behalf Term appeals to tradition Definition saying that we should continue with something because we have always done it that way Term appeals to ignorance Definition assume that a claim must be true (or false) because the opposite position cannot be proved (or disproved) Term appeals to inappropriate emotion Definition prevent argument through expressions of anger, fear, or other emotions impervious to argument Term fallacies of vacuity Definition result from failure to provide necessary proofs, leaving “holes” or empty spaces in the argument Term circular reasoning Definition occurs when the evidence simply restates the conclusion in different words Term begging the question Definition occurs when a claim is made dependent on other claims that are implicitly assumed but have not established in the argument Term ignoring the question Definition the result of a digression or a focus on matter extraneous to the situation at hand; “red herring” Term non sequitur Definition an argument in which, on the face of it, no connection exists between the claim and the evidence Term straw man Definition when one’s argument responds to a claim that has not been made and that is not in dispute, rather than to the relevant claim Term self-sealing argument Definition an argument that does not admit of any possible testing or falsification because it can encompass seemingly opposite results.