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Philosophy 203:  Scientific Reasoning
Quiz:  Fallacies, Part II

Directions:  Identify the fallacy in each of the following passages.   The fallacies might include appeals to the people, to authority, to ignorance, to emotion, attack on the person, hasty generalization, false cause, slippery slope, weak analogy or the genetic fallacy.

1. In spite of years of intensive scientific investigation, no one has been able to find a cure for monoplastosis.  It is therefore clear that no such cure exists.

2.  John Bardeen's work at the Advanced Institute for Physics has progressed so slowly that even his colleagues call him a plodder.  Hence, it is prudent at present not to take seriously his current theory that strings make up subatomic particles.

3.  If we allow radical research on viruses, then we will allow dangerous research on bacteria.  The next thing you know, people will be experimenting on animals and eventually performing dangerous experiments on unwanted babies.

4.  If we took a poll right now, almost all of the American people would agree that a vaccine for AIDS will soon be developed.   Therefore, it only a matter of time before some research agency develops it.

5.  Richard P. Feynman, as recorded in his autobiography, Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman, has been misunderstood almost all of his life.  He almost had several mental breakdowns since World War II, first with the death of his wife and second with the atomic bomb explosion.  Science should publish some of his works in the interest of his memory and from human concerns for a fellow scientist..


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