Select the correct answer to the following multiple-choice questions by circling the appropriate letter.
Identify the fallacy of insufficient evidence committed by the following arguments.
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1 | |
All truth is relative. Now if you're saying that you can prove that there is any proposition which is absolutely true, then I'm here to tell you you're wrong. |
| | A) | Inconsistency |
| | B) | Slippery Slope |
| | C) | Weak Analogy |
| | D) | Hasty Generalization |
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2 | |
Instructor to student: Look, I know you were in a car accident. But if I give you a make-up exam, then next thing you know, anyone who's sick will want to take a make-up. Then, the before you know it, anyone who would prefer to go to the beach or watch a ball game during class will want a make-up too. |
| | A) | Hasty Generalization |
| | B) | Questionable Cause |
| | C) | False Alternatives |
| | D) | Slippery Slope |
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3 | |
Car Salesman: Look, you can either spend some money and get this elegant sports car, or you can continue driving that rust bucket you came in with. Really, don't you think you deserve better. |
| | A) | Hasty Generalization |
| | B) | False Alternatives |
| | C) | Weak Analogy |
| | D) | Look Who's Talking |
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4 | |
Its a little known fact that our family dogs and cats could be a significant source of pollution. In a recent report, scientists at the Quack Institute for Social Research discovered that there is a direct correlation between high rates of air pollution in major cities and the number of household pets. The cities observed to have the highest pet-to-household ratio, for example Los Angeles, also had some of the worst smog problems in the nation. |
| | A) | Look Who's Talking |
| | B) | Slippery Slope |
| | C) | Questionable Cause |
| | D) | Weak Analogy |
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5 | |
Uniforms are required in many public service occupations. Police Officers and Firefighters, for example, are required to wear uniforms on the job. Elementary school teachers hold public service positions. Isn't it reasonable to require them to wear uniforms too? |
| | A) | Slippery Slope |
| | B) | Hasty Generalization |
| | C) | False Alternatives |
| | D) | Weak Analogy |
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6 | |
Three of the ten finalists in this year's essay contest came from the new charter school. They must really have a great writing program. I think I'll transfer my children there. |
| | A) | Weak Analogy |
| | B) | Hasty Generalization |
| | C) | Inappropriate Appeal to Authority |
| | D) | Appeal to Ignorance |
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7 | |
No one has ever been able to prove that Ronald Reagan was directly involved in the Iran Contra Scandal. This alone is enough to show he was innocent of the accusations brought against him. |
| | A) | Inappropriate Appeal to Authority |
| | B) | Questionable Cause |
| | C) | Hasty Generalization |
| | D) | Appeal to Ignorance |
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8 | |
In the federal trial against Microsoft, the prosecutors charged that the company was engaged in monopolistic practices that could undermine the development of new products. But Bill Gates, an expert in computer technology and the founder of Microsoft, testified that his company's practices would likely improve innovation in the industry, thus creating a wider range of useful products. So, it seems that the prosecutors are just misguided here. |
| | A) | Inappropriate Appeal to Authority |
| | B) | Appeal to Ignorance |
| | C) | Hasty Generalization |
| | D) | Inconsistency |
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9 | |
Highway Patrolman to Driver: "Just when did you realize that you were speeding?" |
| | A) | Questionable Cause |
| | B) | Hasty Generalization |
| | C) | Loaded Question |
| | D) | Appeal to Ignorance |
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10 | |
South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki has publicly declared that the link between HIV infection and AIDS is questionable. So, if they don't even know that HIV causes AIDS, we shouldn't waste money funding programs that develop drugs to fight HIV. |
| | A) | Questionable Cause |
| | B) | Inappropriate Appeal to Authority |
| | C) | Hasty Generalization |
| | D) | Weak Analogy |
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2002 McGraw-Hill Higher Education