Answer to Question #232740 in Philosophy for Another you

Question

1. Cite five (5)examples of how fallacies are used in our daily life. How do we use these fallacies toward others?

Answer 1

Fallacies are mistaken beliefs based on unsound opinions. They derive from reasoning that is logically incorrect, thus undermining an argument's validity. The following are examples of fallacies we use in our daily life and how we use them towards others. Firstly, we have appeal to authority fallacy, in which you accept the truth on blind faith just because someone you admire said it. We use this fallacy towards others when we want to support something said by someone we admire. Secondly, we have appeal to ignorance fallacy which occurs when someone asserts a claim that must be accepted because no one else can prove otherwise. For example, when a teacher says, “since the students have no questions concerning the topics discussed in class, the students are ready for a test.”

 Thirdly, we have appeal to the Pity fallacy. An example of this fallacy is when someone says, if we don't adopt that puppy today, they might put him down. Do you want to be responsible for that? We use towards others when someone seeks to gain acceptance by pointing out an unfortunate consequence that befalls them. Fourthly, there is the ad Hominem fallacy. An example is “don't listen to Dave's argument on gun control. He's not the brightest bulb in the chandelier.” This fallacy is used towards others when acceptance or rejection of a concept is rejected based on its source, not its merit. It is also known as the attacking the person fallacy.

Lastly, there is the False Dilemma fallacy. An example of this fallacy is “Tigers and lions are ruthless killers. House cats must also be ruthless killers.” This fallacy is used towards others when someone is only given two choices for possible alternatives when more than two exist.