College Composition / Unit 30 CMP 0745 worked example, 60 to 90 seconds
Fallacy or Fair Argument
The idea
Not every argument that resembles a fallacy is one; the difference lies in whether the reasoning is supported.
In practice
Work through the distinctions in order. First, consequences: warning of a result is fair when each step is supported by reasoning; it becomes a slippery slope when the chain is assumed. Second, emotion: an appeal to feelings is legitimate pathos; it becomes an appeal to fear when fear substitutes for evidence. Third, a person's record: questioning a source's credibility is part of evaluating evidence; attacking the person instead of the argument is ad hominem. Fourth, generalization: a conclusion drawn from many representative observations is sound induction; one drawn from a few cases is hasty. Fifth, simplification: narrowing choices to reach a decision can be useful; excluding real options to distort an issue is a false dilemma.
Where people slip
Accusing every argument of a fallacy is its own failure of analysis. Ask what support the writer provides before naming an error.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
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