Guide Questions

1. How would you describe the narrator of the story?

2. How was Petey Bellows described in the story?
How about Polly? Do you think they were really as
dumb as they were described?
3. What was narrators reason for wanting Polly?
4. What fallacies did the narrator committed that
Polly has mentioned?
5. If you were Polly, would you fall for the narrator or
for Petey?
6. Do you agree that love is a fallacy? Why or why
not?
 Activity
Summarize the story using the
linear plot.
A.Introduction
B. Rising action
C. Climax
D.Falling action
E. Denouement
Double Matching Type
_,_1. an argument based on unqualified generalization
_,_2. an argument based on few and not enough instances
_,_3. an argument based on appeal to emotion
_,_4. an argument based on destroying ones reputation
_,_5. an argument which is not really supported by its proof
COLUMN A
A. Hasty generalization B. Ad misericordiam C. Poisoning the well
D. Hypothesis contrary to the fact E. Dicto simpliciter
COLUMN B
Double Matching Type COLUMN A COLUMN B
_,_1. an argument S. We are well matched on
based on unqualified A. Hasty basis of five dates.
generalization generalization T. Say that youll go steady
_,_2. an argument B. Ad with me, for if you will not my
based on few and not misericordiam life will be meaningless. I will
enough instances C. Poisoning the languish. I will not eat my
_,_3. an argument well meals
based on appeal to D. Hypothesis U. Youve learned your
emotion contrary to fallacies because of so you
_,_4. an argument the fact owe me something, dont
based on destroying E. Dicto you?
ones reputation simpliciter V. The things you learn in
_,_5. an argument school dont have to do
which is not really anything with life
supported by its W. Five dates is plenty. After
proof all, you dont have to a whole
cake to know that it is good
 What is a logical fallacies?
Fallacies are errors or mistakes of
reasoning.
The word fallacy may derive from
the Latin word fallere meaning, to
deceive, to trip, to lead into error or
to trick. The word may also derive
from the Greek phelos, meaning
deceitful.
 What is a logical fallacies?
2 Kinds of Fallacies
1. Formal Fallacies- are errors in reasoning due
solely to an incorrect form or structure of an
argument, thus correspond to the invalid
deductive arguments
2. Informal Fallacies- also known as material
fallacies, are errors in reasoning due solely to
an anomaly or defect in the content (or in the
meaning of the words or sentences) of an
argument
 Why study logical fallacies?
It is important to develop logical fallacy detection
skills in your own writing, as well as others.

Think of this as intellectual kung-fu: the art of

intellectual self defense. (Logical Fallacies Handlist)
 Informal Fallacies
A. Fallacies of ambiguity- referring to fallacies in
which the error in reasoning is brought about by
the occurrence of ambiguous terms whose
meanings are confused in an argument
B. Fallacies of relevance- referring to fallacies in
which the error in reasoning is brought about by
the irrelevance of the premise or premises to the
conclusion of an argument.
C. Fallacies of presumption- -referring to fallacies
in which the error in reasoning is brought about by
the occurrence of complex or loaded expressions
whose assumptions are questionable or have not
yet been proven to be true
 A. Fallacies of ambiguity
1. Equivocation- is committed when
several meanings of a word or
phrase become confused in the
context of one argument (ex. All
laws should be respected and
obeyed. The of gravity is a law.
Therefore, the law of gravity should
be respected.)
 A. Fallacies of ambiguity
2. Composition- is committed when
one reasons from the qualities of
the parts of a whole to the qualities
of the whole itself (ex. Every part
of this machine is light in weight.
Therefore, the whole machine is
light in weight.)
 A. Fallacies of ambiguity
3. Division- which is the reverse of
composition, is committed when one
reasons from the qualities of a whole
to the qualities of the parts of the
whole (ex. Filipino cultural minorities
are disappearing. Juan is a Filipino
cultural minority. Therefore, Juan is
disappearing.)
 B. Fallacy of relevance
1. Argument from ignorance (ad
ignorantiam)- is committed when it is
argued that a proposition is true simply
on the basis that it has not been
proven false, or that it is false because
it has not been proven true (ex.
Mental telepathy must be accepted as
a fact; for nobody has proven that it is
impossible.
 B. Fallacy of relevance
2. Appeal to inappropriate authority-
is committed when one appeals to an
authority whose field of expertise
does not include the nature of the
conclusion being established (ex. We
should vote for this candidate for he is
endorsed by our favorite basketball
player.)
 B. Fallacy of relevance
3. Argument against the person (ad
hominem)- is committed when one
evaluates an argument by means of
citing something about the person
who asserts the argument (ex. She
cannot be a good president for she
comes from a broken family.)
 B. Fallacy of relevance
4. Appeal to pity (ad
misericordiam)- is committed when
one appeals to pity to cause the
acceptance of a conclusion (ex.
The man certainly deserves a
promotion, for he can hardly feed
his starving family.
 B. Fallacy of relevance
5. Appeal to popular will (ad
populum)- is committed when one
appeals to pity to cause the
acceptance of a conclusion(ex. We
should drink this brand of beer, for
it is the regular drink of successful
men after a hard days work.)
 B. Fallacy of relevance
6. Appeal to force (ad baculum)- is
committed when one appeals to
force, often with subtlety, to cause
the acceptance of some conclusion
(ex. It is your duty to pledge
allegiance to this constitution, for
otherwise rebellion charges will be
filed against you.)
 C. Fallacies of presumption
1. Complex question- is committed
when one asks a question that contains
unproved assumptions. A fallacy is
committed when one argues that these
assumptions are true just because an
answer is given to a complex question (ex.
A lawyer who wants to establish that
person A is beating his child asks this
question: Have you stopped beating your
child?)
 C. Fallacies of presumption
2. False cause (post hoc/post hoc, ergo
propter hoc)- is committed when one
attributes a wrong cause to something,
which is often due to a mere temporal
succession of two events (ex. Edgar
Allan Poes literary genius must have
been caused by drinking liquor, for it is
said that before he would write he
would first drink some liquor.)
 C. Fallacies of presumption
3. Begging the question (Petitio
principii)- is committed when
reasoning is circular in that the
conclusion is already assumed
in the premises (ex The soul is
immortal, for it never dies.)
 C. Fallacies of presumption
4. Fallacy of accident (inverse hasty
generalization)- is committed when
one applies a general rule to individual
cases, which, because of their special
or accidental nature the general rule
does not properly apply. (ex. Running
is good for the heart. Therefore,
running will be good for Pedro who is
suffering from a heart disease.
 C. Fallacies of presumption
5. Hasty Generalization (converse
accident)- is committed when one
makes a generalization from a
special or accidental case, or simply
from insufficient number of cases
(ex. While running, Jose had a
heart attack. Therefore, running is
bad for the heart.
Example of ad populum

We should drink this brand of

beer for this is the regular drink
of successful men.
Example of appeal to authority

We should abolish death penalty.

Many respected people, such as
Mr. Guy Handsome, has publicly
stated his opposition to it.
Example of appeal to ignorance

People have been trying for years

to prove that God exist. But no one
has yet been able to prove it.
Therefore, God does not exist
Examples of complex question
So are you still cheating on your tests?
Whether a yes or no answer is given, it
still leads to the listener confirming
something that is probably not true.
Two questions are really being asked.
Have you ever cheated on tests? and
If you cheated in the past, have you
stopped?
Examples of begging questions
McDonalds cheeseburgers are bad for you.
Just look at how greasy they are!
The premise left out here could be framed as
Greasy cheeseburgers are bad for you.
Smirnoff makes the best drinks because
theyre so tasty. They taste good because they
can afford to bottle them with the best flavors
added in. Because its such a wealthy drink
distributor, Smirnoff has to be the best drink
makers around!
Examples of hasty generalization

revise
Example of accident

Running is good for the heart.

Running is good for Pedro who is
suffering from a heart disease
C. Fallacies of presumption
6. Complex question
-is committed when one ask a question
that contains unproved assumptions.
-a fallacy is committed when one argues
that these assumptions are true just
because an answer is given to a complex
question
Example- Have you stopped beating the child
Examples of equivocation
Bad people should be put in jail. Im a
bad salesman, therefore I should also be
put in jail.
The word bad is used differently in the
premise than it is in the conclusion, so a
fallacy is committed here.
You told me the crate over there was
light, but I cant see anything inside it.
Fallacy of relevance
1. Argument against the person (ad
hominem)
-One person makes an argument, and
the other person replies with a
criticism but not one made about the
argument, but about the person
himself.
Example of composition

Each ingredient in this recipe tastes

bad. Therefore, the finished dish will
also taste bad.
Each atom in this chalkboard is
invisible. It follows that the
chalkboard is invisible.
Examples of division
This pitcher of tea tastes sweet.
Therefore, the tea leaves in it must
taste sweet.
That painting on the wall appears
brown. Therefore, all the paint on it
must be brown.
I have so much work to do, I wont
even try to start it.
Examples of ad hominem
John says I should quit smoking
because its bad for me. But hes
practically an alcoholic, so who is he
to give me advice about my health?
You just want me to break up with
my girlfriend so you can ask her
out!
Examples of ad baculum
Either agree that Im king of the
world or Ill beat you up!
Give me $200 or Ill tell your wife
youre cheating on her.
Examples of ad mesiricordiam
Dont give me a ticket, officer. My wife
has cancer and my aunt just had a
stroke!
I know the exam is graded based on
performance, but you should give me an
A. My cat has been sick, my car broke
down, and I have been sick, so it was
really hard for me to study.