Logical fallacies

steady leadership, and progress”(YouTube). The Bush campaign essentially used the ‘logos’ element of rhetoric as Bush appealed to the masses to consider his record and vote on the basis of such. Compared to Kerry, the Bush administration would be the logical choice since the country needed continuity especially in foreign policy and therefore by trusting President Bush to continue with his second term would be the best move forward. A false assumption however was that the Kelly administration…

possible mistake in his reasoning, largely known as the Cartesian circle. This mistake is mainly noted in the third meditation. Considered to be a form of circular reasoning, several scholars have debated whether Descartes is indeed guilty of this logical fallacy. One version of the Cartesian circle mistake is the indifference between Descartes’ “clear and distinct ideas” and “natural light”. One argument offered that may disprove Descartes’ circular reasoning accusation is within Sara…

motivate the reader by reminding them of their potential and abilities. He may begin a chapter by saying that “You were born to do something wonderful with your life” (Tracy 116). A short inspirational paragraph that uses the appeal to flattery fallacy usually starts the chapter off. The flattery in combination with the questions he asks creates a base for his argument. The questions that Tracy asks are key questions that make the readers consider how successful they are, he can persuade them…

The “I’m One” Ad is sponsored by the R.]. Reynolds Tobacco Company, which presents the thought of Archie Anderson on smoking. Archie Anderson, a main character, is a Minnesotan born and bred adult whose determination is to express the view that the ban on smoking is a detrimental decision and solution can be attended amicably between smokers and non-smokers without government intervention. Being an American citizen, he respects the law, but this time he wants to speak against the government…

Despite their helpfulness, helmet laws are controversial. Some bikers like Stan Daniels believe they’re being discriminated against. In his essay called “Helmet Laws Discriminate against Bikers”, he tries to prove that helmet laws are unnecessary, annoying, and should be repealed because we should be able to live freely. In this essay I’ll argue that his argument is unconvincing. His argument is summarized like so: 1. People should live as they please. 2. Helmet laws take away freedom from…

The film revolves around 12 men serving on a jury to determine whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty for stabbing his father to death based on the premise of reasonable doubt. As Juror Number Eight develops reasonable doubt based on some logical errors of the witness statements, he uses logos to attempt…

A Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) is an organism whose chromosome is altered to appear different than it would originally appear without alteration. When looking at GMO’s, Michael Specter -an American journalist for “The New Yorker”- and Dr. Vandana Shiva -a science scholar- took positions on the topic of GMO’s. Michael Specter’s belief is that if GMO’s are not harmful, there is no true reason for opposing them. On the other hand, Dr. Shiva believes that although GMO’s are not harmful, there…

Technology Can Improve Online Learning by Robert Mendenhall. The article successfully outlines the imperatives and advantages of online teaching as compared to traditional teaching methodology. The arguments presented by the author are logical and devoid of fallacies that makes it immensely effective and rationale article on the topic. The articles basically stems its arguments in the form of comparison between the online and offline methods of teaching and how online teaching can actually…

its consequences. While reading Bank’s article “What Price Football” and Flynn’s “Football Does a Body Good (Nannyism Doesn’t)”, I notice many arguments that call for my attention. Banks’s article was persuasive, however Flynn’s included some logical fallacies. This week I also watched a film titled “Concussion”, directed by Peter Landsman, the movie provided many facts that inclined my perspective in regards to the changes needed in Football. The Author of “What Price Football”, Don…

Lowell Cohn is a sports writer for San Francisco Chronicle, who wrote an editorial responding to the letters he received from doctors concerning his stance towards the banning of boxing game. In the editorial titled Boxing, Doctors—Round Two, he argues that the main reason behind AMA’s call to abolish boxing is not medically grounded, but rather a moral issue stating that doctors, “don’t like the idea that two men intentionally try to hurt each other.” (9) Although in the past, the AMA was…