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Homepage > Logic > Informal Fallacies Project |
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Informal Fallacies ProjectAbstract: Requirements for an informal
fallacy project are described with an example fallacy analysis. Suggestions
for how and where to find fallacies are provided. Requirements for the Informal Fallacies ProjectThe Informal Fallacies Project is to be based on your own choice of resources, including webpages, newspapers, magazines, books, or journals. The goal for the project is to find and analyze at least five informal fallacies where each fallacy is a different type. All references are to be cited in a standard bibliographical manner. Please keep in mind the following additional guidelines:
The evaluation of your project is based on the following criteria:
Example FormatThe presentation of your paper is be similar to the example illustrated here: Fallacy:“Before considering these development in detail it is worth asking why such an apparently simple device as the bicycle should have had such a major effect on the acceleration of technology. The answer lies in the sheer humanity of the machine.” S. S. Wilson, “ Bicycle Technology.” Scientific American 228 no. 3 (March, 1973), 82. Analysis:The question posed is a composite of several questions: (1) Is the bicycle an apparently simple device? If the answer to this question is yes, then the further question can be raised: (2) Did “this apparently simple device” have “a major effect on the acceleration of technology?” If the answer to the latter question is “yes,” the cited question would be appropriate: (3) How had the bicycle had such a major effect on the acceleration of technology? An answer to (1) is not clearly straightforward. An answer to (2) is even less so, and an answer to (3) (provided in the text) is much more doubtful. Most of the technical innovations used in the bicycle (e.g., differential gears, classic diamond frame, tubular frame, ball bearings, pneumatic tire) were developed independently of bicycle technology. Hence although the technology of this apparently simple device might be important for the evolution of modern technology, it is a fallacy to presuppose it had a major effect on the future development of technology. The answer provided by Dr. Wilson blurs the distinct aspects of the question he raises and treats them as a simple query; hence, the fallacy of Complex Question occurs. Finding Sources for FallaciesFinding concise, clear examples of informal fallacies is difficult and time-consuming. Occasionally you can discover fallacies by critically reading materials containing the exchange of ideas. On average you would be doing well if you can find one clear fallacy in fifteen or so editorials in daily newspapers. “Letters to the Editors” in daily local newspapers and in tabloids presenting exaggerated, sensational, or biased stories are especially good places to find fallacies. In general, sources for fallacies include personal arguments in on-line forums; letters to the editor in newspapers, magazines and journals; editorials or opinion pieces in newspapers and magazines; debate transcripts; political speeches pseudo-scientific writings, and lawyer biographies. Some suggested online sources where fallacies occasionally occur include: Editorials and Opinion Pages
Speeches and Debates
Debate Forums
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