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Chapter 6 Reasoning Errors

This chapter will cover

• Fallacies (errors in reasoning)

• Fallacies that lead listeners away from the real issue

• Useful approaches for handling fallacies


Reasoning Errors

Fallacies - 2 kinds

• Inadequate Reasons

• Fallacies that Mislead


Fallacies

Inadequate Reasoning

• Sounds good • Sounds logical• However, does not provide adequate support• Form but no substance


Inadequate Reasons

Faulty Analogies

• Significant differences between compared items.

– Compare a product to an experience– Compare current experience to past– Advice for them will work for you


Inadequate Reasons

False Cause – Post Hoc

• Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc: “After this, therefore because of this

– First event causes second event without reason– Superstitious reasoning– Blame game


Inadequate Reasons

The Slippery Slope

• Consequences of potential action predicted but not supported

– The domino effect– Prediction based on speculation


Inadequate Reasons

The Straw Man

• Opponent’s argument distorted or exaggerated and then easily attacked.

– Position argument at extreme


Inadequate Reasons

Hasty Conclusion

• Generalize with little information

– Jumping to conclusions– Rushing to judgment– Self-fulfilling prophecy


Inadequate Reasons

The False Dilemma

• Presenting only two extreme alternatives

– No possibilities in between– Leads to simplistic solutions


Inadequate Reasons

Begging the Question

• Speaker assumes what needs to be proven

– Places the burden of proof on the listener – Builds on an unproven assumption – Uses a ‘loaded question’


Skill Recognize when reasons given to justify a

conclusion are not sufficient.


Fallacies

Fallacies that mislead

• Reasons that lead the listener away from the primary issue.


Fallacies That Mislead

The Red Herring

• Distract your attention • Put on the defensive with another issue.

– Get that stick out of here• It’s not a stick. It’s a laser beam



Ad Hominem: Attacking the person

• Attack personal qualities instead of the issue

– Thomas Jefferson called “anti-American”– John Adams was accused of being a ‘fool’– Used to discredit someone



Ad Populum:

• Jumping on the bandwagon• If everyone is doing it, then it is okay

– Keeping up with the Jones– The in-crowd– Why we buy products



Appeal to Traditions

• Conform to tradition• “We’ve always done it this way”• Reasons are not relevant to the claim

– All the men in our family have been lawyers



Appeal to Pity

• Follow a course of action due to compassion• May be true but is irrelevant to the claim

– You should go out with me or I will be upset



Equivocation

• The same word - two different meanings


Chapter 6 Reasoning Errors

Checkup

• Fallacies that mislead versus fallacies with insufficient support

• What makes an analogy faulty?

chapter 6 reasoning errors arial red font thin border

Environment